YouSaid · the spoken record

Ismail Cem

lines on the record: 80
first: 1997-09-24
most recent: 2001-09-24
sittings or episodes: 4
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I point as well to the need to strengthen and streamline the United Nations, with all its principal organs. This General Assembly session of 2001 is a meaningful link in the chain which the international community has forged to meet the growing challenges of the new century. With realism and courage we shall succeed.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“We also support the Secretary- General’s Mission of Good Offices and his efforts to start a new phase of talks. In order to succeed, this initiative should depart from sufficient common ground. Turkey welcomes the recent proposal of President Denktaş to his Greek Cypriot counterpart that they get together informally, without any preconditions, and discuss all relevant issues in order to find a way forward. The refusal of the Greek Cypriot party is in no one’s interest. The tragedy of 11 September can be viewed as an omen of what can happen if the slightest carelessness is shown towards any of the old and new threats the world faces in the modern age, be they terrorism, environment or poverty. All I have said points to the need for the strong commitment of Member countries to efforts aimed at the shaping of a better future.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Through formal decisions of their parliaments and Governments, both Turkey and the TRNC have declared that they will not accept any solution that is not freely negotiated and mutually accepted. Both Turkey and the TRNC have also made it clear that they reject any such development, which would make the Turkish Cypriots a minority under Greek Cypriot rule. The Turkish Government will not allow the resurgence of a situation that in 1964 and 1974 caused massive crimes to be committed against the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey and the TRNC are for a solution based on the realities of the island. There are two distinct nations 11 with different religions, languages and cultures with two separate States and democracies in Cyprus. The confederation proposal of President Denktaş deserves serious consideration.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Any artificially imposed solution that is not mutually acceptable to both nations in the island and to the guarantor countries is bound to create a severe crisis. Turkey, as well as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), aspire to a mutually acceptable solution, sought through all possible means. A unilateral act by the Greek Cypriots, in violation of the 1959-1960 system, and pretending to represent both nations, contradicts the legal framework and the realities of Cyprus. The legal and practical realities do not permit any party in the island to decide unilaterally to enter any international body of which both Turkey and Greece are not members; and any such decision has to be taken mutually by the two co- founders.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“It is evident that in the process of rebuilding Afghanistan, the United Nations has to play a leading role. It is the duty of each and every Member State of the Organization to contribute to this gigantic task. I will touch upon one more issue, and the rest will be distributed in the paper that I have prepared. This last issue is: Cyprus. The Cyprus issue has remained for 38 years. This subject is one that is known to the United Nations. As the dates for some radical changes in Cyprus through the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral accession to the European Union seem to be suggested, and as Turkey considers these changes potentially dangerous for the two parties and for the whole region, this issue needs further attention.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Fourthly, in regions and cities of Afghanistan freed from terrorist oppression, the United Nations and involved forces should act immediately to ensure security and relief. The success in providing for basic needs and displaying the ability to produce a better future will be paramount in expanding positive changes to other parts of the country. Setting a successful precedent would serve as the best catalyst. Fifthly, and finally, everyone seems to agree that the future administration and Government of Afghanistan should reflect all ethnicities. It should also encompass all political trends that have not resorted to terrorism. In this process, overemphasizing or undermining the role of any group in the country would be counterproductive.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Our task is to assist and support their efforts — not to dictate who will run their country, and how. In this respect, regional and tribal affinities should be encouraged to merge into a single Afghan identity and assume a secondary role as sub-cultures. This is capital for Afghanistan. Secondly, all countries, either neighbours of or involved in Afghanistan, should be discouraged from relying on particular Afghan groups as their primary allies and should refrain from pursuing their special interests through those groups. Thirdly, while the fight against terrorism and its supporters goes on, special care must be taken to ensure that innocent civilians are kept out of harm’s way. All humanitarian support should be provided, organized and facilitated.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The name of this challenge is Afghanistan, and it has two dimensions: to combat the terrorist network, which, by exploiting the Afghan people’s plight, has taken root in its geography; and to support the revival of Afghanistan, of the Afghan identity, by ensuring peace, stability and economic development. Turkey is resolutely committed to meet this challenge; we fully support the United Nations efforts and those of the Special Representative, Mr. Brahimi. Turkey worked together with the Afghan people from the 1920s to the 1960s; and it resumed cooperation again in the early 1990s. We believe that concerted international action, with sound principles and effective means, is of crucial importance. I will try to elaborate on some suggestions. First, it is the Afghan people themselves who will rebuild their identity and their country.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Threats such as illegal mass migration, corruption, drugs and arms smuggling, money laundering and other types of organized crime are on the increase. It is our collective responsibility to find lasting, viable solutions to these problems. Developing nations must focus on ways of achieving sustainable economic 10 growth, on improving income distribution, education and justice and on addressing other social needs. Developed nations must be more forthcoming in debt relief, must increase development and humanitarian aid and must allow greater access to their markets. Today, the United Nations and its Member States face a mutual challenge.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“Although all participants have displayed remarkable flexibility, the working group has failed to resolve two central and interrelated issues: the definition of a terrorist offence and exclusions from the scope of the convention. I wish to take this opportunity to call upon all States to make an additional effort towards finalizing the convention. In combating terrorism, we cannot ignore the fact that this scourge feeds on deteriorating social, economic and political conditions. Illiteracy, destitution, bigotry, racism, social and political injustice and similar sources of grievance all play a role in creating fertile ground for terrorism. The gap between the richest and the least fortunate nations of the world keeps widening at an alarming pace.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“A drastic change in attitude is imperative. In order for it to be credible and effective, the anti-terror struggle has to be comprehensive and deal with all terrorist centres. It is also incumbent upon all United Nations Member States to adopt the existing international legislation and to review national laws accordingly. International efforts to combat terrorism cannot be fully effective in the absence of a global convention in this field. The draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism now under discussion in the working group established by the Sixth Committee seems to be our best chance to address this shortcoming.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“The establishment of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to monitor implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) is a major development. We welcome the joint declarations of 14 and 21 September 2001 by the European Union. Turkey aligned itself with both, and we expect their prompt and resolute implementation. The European Union is in the process of identifying terrorist organizations and their support networks. The list of terrorist organizations to be drawn up by the European Union must not be restricted only to the geographical area of its members. It should definitely include those groups that finance, plan and command terrorist activities in other countries. There is a drastic need for vigilance and further cooperation between the relevant authorities, namely, the justice and interior ministries of all countries.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In short, acts and calls that would draw an immediate reaction if they were the acts and calls of indigenous terrorists targeting their own country are ignored and tolerated when they emanate from guest terrorists targeting their country of origin. This unfortunate distinction between terrorists that hurt others but not us and the prevailing double standards have to be overcome if we are serious about fighting terrorists. Terrorism is a global phenomenon that crosses borders, and the fight against it requires effective international cooperation. Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) in particular provides a clear road map regarding the steps to be taken. We hope that all Member States will fully comply with this groundbreaking resolution.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“There is an unfortunate de facto distinction made in the conceptual approaches of several countries between “bad” terrorists, who work against a particular country, and tolerated terrorists, who, while enjoying safe haven in the same country, incite, plan, finance and sometimes command terrorist acts in another. My country, as well as several others, has been victim of this double-standard approach. Groups implanted in foreign countries openly advocate the use of terrorist means under all sorts of pretexts. Their activities and messages — which call for violence, and sometimes for assassination — are freely propagated and are sometimes transmitted through the authorized media in their host countries.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“To be serious and effective, the anti-terrorist struggle has to be all-encompassing and deal with all terrorist centres, activities and logistics. It should address all countries that harbour and tolerate terrorism or that are indifferent to terrorist groups that incite or actively plan, finance or command terrorist operations executed in another country. Being drawn into the trap of double standards in defining or in dealing with terrorism inherently provides support for terrorism. Unfortunately, we have been witnessing several cases of double standards. I will try to give some views on this particular subject.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“To fight this dangerous trend, we fully support all initiatives aimed at dispelling these erroneous approaches. We commend the ongoing mutual efforts of the United Nations, as well as several other initiatives. In this context, Turkey has proposed an informal forum between members of, and aspirants to, the European Union and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to discuss, from a political perspective, issues pertaining to harmony among civilizations. We have the initial support of the relevant organizations and of several countries. We hope to hold this conference by February 2002. 9 Terrorism does not have a geography. The same terrorism manifests itself in different countries all over the world, both in the West and in the East.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“To combat terrorism efficiently and to develop a strong coalition of United Nations Members against terrorism, certain principles should guide our collective effort. First, terrorism does not have a religion or a geography, and there can be no justification for terrorist acts under any circumstances. Secondly, the use of double standards is the main obstacle to the fight against terrorism. Thirdly, we have to be conscious of the fact that terrorism is a global phenomenon. No ideal, no cause and no end can justify terrorism. We should avoid spurious justifications for deliberate killing. To identify terrorism with any religion is a sacrilege against all religions. We strongly condemn those who couple the name of a religion with a definition of terrorism or terrorists.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“This meeting is being held at a most difficult hour. The terrorist attacks carried out in New York and Washington, D.C., cast a long shadow over this session of the General Assembly. But we must stand united, drawing the right conclusions from this catastrophe. The date of 11 September has made it clear that terrorism is now humankind’s number-one enemy, and that it must be addressed with the utmost seriousness and determination. We share the American nation’s grief. We reiterate our full support to the United States Administration in its efforts to track down those responsible and to bring them to justice. As a country that has lost so many of its citizens to terrorism, Turkey deeply feels the grief of this tragic event.”
2001-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 56 (2001)
“In one respect we feel we possess most of the elements for a promising future, ranging from increased universal awareness of human dignity to strides in science and technology. Yet, at the same time, we are distressed to find ourselves plagued by war, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, racism, xenophobia, poverty and many other evils, both old and new. As the new millennium is ushered in, we must embrace rationalism, empathy and human solidarity in tackling our common problems. Only then can we relax, having fulfilled our responsibilities to the next generation.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The elimination of poverty should therefore remain our paramount goal. To reach this goal, we must achieve good governance, transparency and participation. We must also build strong social safety nets. But these will not yield the results being sought if we do not make adequate provision for the education our people. As physical borders begin to fade, the minds trapped within national domains must also change and be transformed. We applaud the growing role of the United Nations in the economic and social sphere. With its role in breeding a culture of international cooperation and solidarity a genuine culture of international cooperation and solidarity the United Nations has indeed been a source of inspiration for us all.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Moreover, we also should see to it that the adverse effects of sanctions on innocent people, especially on children, women and the elderly, are minimized. After the widespread economic setbacks of the past few years, the healing process of the global economy gathered momentum. Global integration has been further fuelled by bold leaps in science and technology. However, there is no room for complacency. To ensure that the benefits of revitalized growth are felt evenly on a global scale, continued and intensified efforts are needed at national and international levels. It is not only the countries that have been exposed to the negative effects of globalization that stand to lose as a result. Global inequality threatens to become a source of political and social instability.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The effectiveness of sanctions, as we see it, has two important aspects. The first has to do with whether the sanctions applied to a given country or area serve their intended purpose. This, in turn, raises the question of whether the sanctions are properly targeted and whether there is universal compliance. The second aspect concerns the proper implementation of sanctions. They are invoked on the premise that the decisions taken by the United Nations will be respected and that all will share the ensuing burden. Therefore, the collateral effects of the sanctions on third States, and especially the uneven burden they place on countries neighbouring the targeted State, are issues that must be addressed.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“We have to vigorously pursue our efforts to make the world a safer place for all. Turkey has always encouraged efforts aimed at achieving meaningful and verifiable arms control and disarmament arrangements. In this context, we are also supportive of nuclear disarmament. It is with this understanding that we are signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). We urge all countries that have not yet done so to do likewise. One of the tools at the disposal of the United Nations to respond to countries that violate international peace and stability is sanctions. In recent years sanctions have become a prominent tool in United Nations collective efforts. There is now an on- going debate on the subject and an assessment is being made on the utility of sanctions.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“For the walls to tumble down in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot side must first free itself of its present frame of mind. Turkey favours a viable settlement of the Cyprus issue. It supports President Denktaş' confederal proposal and the proximity talks initiated by the Secretary-General. I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my Government for the efforts of the Secretary-General as well as his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Mr. de Soto. 13 As a new century is being initiated, it is regrettable that the richly endowed continent of Africa is yet to receive its share from globalization. Especially the prosperous nations have to make a sustained effort to counter poverty and disease in Africa and give the peoples of Africa the hope and the means for a more promising future.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“A mutually acceptable settlement in Cyprus cannot be reached through romantic descriptions but through realistic assessments. Therefore, to define the division of Cyprus as the last wall of Europe might sound fashionable but the connotations it brings and the parallelism it draws are totally erroneous. First of all, the line defined as a wall was not drawn by Turkey. This line was drawn by the United Nations peacekeeping forces in 1963 in order to protect the Turkish Cypriots from the assault of the Greek Cypriots. This is the year when the Greek Cypriots illegally got hold of the state apparatus and conducted violent assaults against Turkish Cypriots. To refer to some recent arrangements by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on its sovereign soil as an act strengthening the existing barriers is irrelevant.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“It is out of the question, therefore, for an international organization or any other grouping to impose its own solution on the parties. In this framework, the membership of Cyprus in the European Union, of which Turkey is not a full member, would be an indirect enosis and contrary to the London and Zurich Agreements. If a mutually acceptable settlement is sincerely sought, then the model is quite clear, based on the realities of Cyprus: a confederation consisting of two states. As to this model, the two independent entities, by virtue of reaching an agreement between themselves, will transfer some of their functions to the confederal bodies. Thus, both the integrity and diversity that emanate from the realities of the island would be preserved.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Due to Turkish intervention, not only did the coup in Cyprus fail, but also the junta collapsed, and democracy returned to Greece. Since 1974, peace and security has prevailed on the island. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots live on the island as two independent states, two functioning democracies, representing two distinct peoples. In spite of a ruthless economic embargo imposed upon them by the Greek Cypriots, the Turkish Cypriots have made considerable economic progress. It is stipulated by the United Nations that both parties through separate referenda should approve a comprehensive settlement mutually acceptable to the two parties. In case the settlement is rejected by one of the parties in its referendum, the proposed solution becomes null and void.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“They staged widespread terror and moved to make the Turkish Cypriots subjects of a Greek Cyprus which was designed to be an integral part of mainland Greece. Turkey, as one of the guarantor powers by virtue of the London and Zurich Agreements, intervened to terminate the ongoing massacres and to prevent the perpetration of similar atrocities in the future. Accordingly, Turkey averted an ethnic cleansing on the island and spared the Turkish Cypriots from sharing the tragic fate of the Muslim Kosovars and Muslim Bosnians of the future. Therefore, it would be a gross distortion of history to consider Turkish intervention as an occupation. On the contrary, it symbolizes liberation for nearly 200,000 Turkish Cypriots.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In line with this very basic logic, the settlement of the Cyprus issue must be compatible with the existing realities on the island. To refresh memories on this particular subject which is sometimes distorted in public opinions by some powerful centres, I would like to summarize the historical background. Cyprus became an international problem as of December 1963 when the joint Turkish-Greek Republic was forcibly destroyed by the Greek Cypriots and an unconstitutional rule was set up at the expense of the Turkish Cypriots. The present situation in Cyprus came into being after the coup in 1974 engineered by Nikos Sampson, the coup leader, who was acting in coordination with the colonels' junta in Greece. This coup murdered many Greek Cypriots as well. The coup toppled Archbishop Makarios and forced him to flee the country.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Turkey will continue these efforts as long as we all think them useful. I would also like to underline that Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, within the framework of Security Council resolution 425 (1978), was a step in the right direction. We also hope that negotiations on the Israeli-Syrian and the Israeli- 12 Lebanese tracks will resume soon and reach a mutually acceptable solution. As we are recommitting ourselves to uphold the principles enshrined in the Charter with increased determination and vigour, we should likewise avoid being captive of approaches not based on reality. In the same vein, efforts to impose solutions that do not take into account the realities on the ground are doomed to failure.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Progress was made at the Camp David summit, as it was the first occasion at which there was frank discussion of all issues, including the most sensitive. We are heartened to witness the willingness of both sides to continue negotiations and to explore all possibilities. We encourage the parties to remain engaged in order not to waste this historic opportunity. Turkey is endowed with centuries of experience regarding the area, the wider region and its problems. We also have deep historical, moral and cultural ties with the peoples of the region. Turkey has good relations with the Israeli and the Palestinian parties alike and enjoys their trust. This prompted the parties to solicit our contributions in recent weeks to facilitating a better understanding and greater confidence between them.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“No nation in the world has the right to use or distort history in order to achieve some kind of identity. Historical research should be left to scholars. In this day and age, we expect all nations to concentrate their efforts on cooperating with each other for the good of their peoples. The Middle East peace process has reached a crucial phase. Turkey has always underlined the importance of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement on the basis of international legitimacy and within the framework of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and of the principle of land for peace. The Palestinian issue lies at the core of the Arab- Israeli conflict. On the other hand, it has again been proven during the course of negotiations that Al-Quds is the decisive element for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The developments in Afghanistan are cause for grave concern, as they have a direct impact on the stability of a huge region, including Central Asia. In the southern Caucasus, peace has yet to be achieved between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The international community has the obligation to contribute to ending the Armenian occupation of parts of Azerbaijan. Stability in Georgia, on the other hand, remains a goal. We have put forward the idea of a stability pact for the Caucasus and are following up our initiative. The regional countries must develop a growing awareness of the wide-ranging benefits of regional cooperation. Here, I should also underline that attempts to defame other nations or to extract enmity from history will serve no useful purpose.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Our historical, cultural and linguistic affinities with the countries of those regions serve as a major asset in our joint efforts to see the peoples of the region move towards higher levels of security and prosperity. Recent terrorist activities, however, pose a new threat to the peace and security of the Central Asian States and are of major concern. We are now seeking ways as to how we can best assist those countries in their struggle against terrorism. Recent events demonstrate once again that we have to fight international terrorism collectively. We commend the efforts of the United Nations to strengthen the legal framework in the fight against terrorism and urge the General Assembly to keep the matter high on its agendas.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“A memorandum of understanding for a joint Turkey-Greece-European Union pipeline project to transport Central Asian and Caucasian energy to Western Europe has been signed. All these positive developments have revealed once again that the Turkish and the Greek people are in favour not of confrontation, but of cooperation and friendship. The peoples of our two countries have not only superseded their politicians, but have raised a most significant barrier to any inclination to move backwards. The rapprochement between our two peoples constitutes the best guarantee against the inclinations of some politicians who, once in a while, yearn for the confrontational past. Turkey's attention is also focused on developments in the southern Caucasus and Central Asia.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“During the year, we have signed nine agreements for cooperation in a variety of areas, ranging from economy to culture. In this context, the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece that we initiated has already brought about positive results. The mutual rediscovery by the peoples of Turkey and Greece of one another and their reconciliation provided the main dynamics of the rapprochement. Almost on a daily basis, politicians, mayors, businessmen, trade-unionists, artists, writers, sportsmen and student groups visit each other across the Aegean or Thrace. Trade between the two countries is flourishing. An unprecedented flurry of activity is being observed along the Aegean coasts and in Thrace. Bilateral tourism is on the rise; joint investments are being carried out.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In Kosovo, the United Nations has been able to put in place arrangements enabling the population to sustain their daily lives, but the current state of ethnic violence does not inspire hopes for a promising future. The United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo has set new rules for the administration of Kosovo. We look forward in particular to the full recognition of the vested rights of the Turkish community of Kosovo. We hope the shortcomings in this respect will soon be corrected, allowing the multi-ethnic and multicultural structure of Kosovo to be duly reflected in its public institutions and organs. To turn to a positive development, I should underline that the constructive trend in our relations with Greece I mentioned in my address last year to the General Assembly continues.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“The rapidly globalizing world provides an appropriate environment for Turkey, at the heart of Eurasia, to serve as a bridge between many nations and civilizations. A priority task is securing peace and stability in the Balkans. The Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, in which Turkey plays an active part, provides a good framework for cooperation and development in the region. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, the full implementation of the Dayton/Paris accords is still our objective. We should preserve Bosnia and Herzegovina as a multi-ethnic, multicultural, independent and sovereign State. Turkey will continue to contribute bilaterally and through multilateral endeavours to Bosnia and Herzegovina's state-building and reconstruction efforts.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“In his Millennium Report, the Secretary-General articulates the means for conflict prevention. These recommendations, when adopted and implemented, will provide the required capacity and credibility. As an increasingly active member of the international community, providing civilian and military contingents to peace efforts in different spots, as far apart as South-Eastern Europe and East Timor, Turkey will give substance to United Nations efforts to prevent conflicts. As peace operations become a core function of the United Nations, we feel the urge to have a sounder financial basis. Turkey therefore supported the review of assessments for the apportionment of expenses for peacekeeping operations. We hope that these discussions will lead to a fairer redrawing of the scale.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Our deliberations come in the wake of the historic Declaration just adopted at the Millennium Summit. Today, we look into the future with greater confidence. Our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter is undiminished. Our enthusiasm to turn our Organization's goals into solid realities remains high. In our quest for a better world, we are to derive our inspiration from our democratic values; our energy from the dynamism of our societies; and our strength from global solidarity and shared responsibility. Today, there is no greater challenge for us than the prevention of conflicts and the achievement of peace. The horrors we witnessed in Europe, the Far East and Africa in the course of the past decade compel us with a sense of urgency to devise effective conflict prevention mechanisms and strategies.”
2000-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 55 (2000)
“Whether it is to halt aggression, to stop crimes against humanity, to purge societies of racist and xenophobic tendencies, of cultural and religious intolerance, to combat international terrorism, to provide humanitarian assistance, to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor or to secure sustainable economic and social development, we should act as an international coalition — that is, as the United Nations. Let us make the twenty-first century the new age of nations united for a more humane and prosperous era for all.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Given the opportunity, we are prepared to take upon ourselves even greater responsibilities. 38 Turkey has presented its candidature for membership on the United Nations Security Council for 2001-2002. We want to contribute to the making of the next millennium as a member of the Council. We ask for Members' support. The compelling lesson to be drawn from the twentieth century is that our highest priority should be the protection of the dignity of humankind and the enhancement of the quality of life.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Following the earthquakes that struck the two countries, the emotions and solidarity displayed by the Turkish and Greek peoples demonstrate that the two peoples will not accept confrontation and tension as a way of life, and that they prefer friendship. This powerful message of our peoples will help our Governments to move forward with greater confidence. Turkey will this year host the last summit of the century. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit to be held in Istanbul in November will set the stage for important decisions. The outcome will play a significant role in shaping the future security and cooperation architecture in the Eurasian landscape. Our political resolve to promote peace and stability over such a wide horizon is on record.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Following an exchange of letters with my Greek counterpart, George Papandreou, about three months ago, our two countries, Turkey and Greece, initiated joint committees to work on specific issues. Since then high- ranking officials of the Foreign Ministries held two rounds of meetings and explored the possibilities of promoting cooperation. Committees were mandated in the fields of tourism, environment, trade, culture, regional cooperation and the fight against organized crime, illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism. Both sides are agreed that there is scope for further cooperation in these fields and identified specific projects to this end. Turkey has the will to carry this process to other spheres of our relationship.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“These two States should be able to solve their differences through their own free will. In the meantime, there could be steps to improve the atmosphere between the two sides by lifting the unjust embargo on the Turkish Cypriots and by also adopting deconfrontational measures, as proposed by the United Nations Secretary-General. On our part, we believe that the confederation proposal provides the basis for a realistic and viable settlement in Cyprus. We are encouraged by the recent developments in the Middle East peace process. Once mutual tolerance and understanding start to fully reign over this region, we believe all nations will display fully their historic economic capabilities and their wisdom. My country will continue to actively support the aim of reaching lasting peace and security in the Middle East.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“As the wounds of the Bosnian tragedy are yet to be healed, the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement must be strictly observed and implemented. The tragedies in the Balkans have taught us to be absolutely cautious and balanced in addressing conflict, whether ethnic or otherwise. We do not have the luxury of acting upon selective memory or one-sided preferences. We cannot afford to impose solutions that do not correspond to the realities and to the aspirations of the peoples concerned. A case in point is Cyprus. Until 1974 the Turkish Cypriots suffered a great deal in protecting their legitimate rights and interests. There can be no return to those dark days. A just and lasting compromise in Cyprus today can only be based upon the existing realities. There are two separate peoples, two separate States in Cyprus.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“Turkey, lying at the hub, will become an energy terminal, connecting in more ways than one, the wealth and resources of Eurasia. We see the mega-projects of the next century realized in our country and our region. We are committed to the vision of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future in south-eastern Europe. We will continue to bring forth our resources and contributions to that end. The need for a large-scale and long-term stabilization and reconstruction programme for the entire region, and more urgently for Kosovo, is evident. We therefore welcome the stability pact for South-Eastern Europe. In this context, it is important that the agreements and arrangements on Kosovo are fully implemented, along with the continuation of support and assistance to Albania and Macedonia.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“37 More specifically, Turkey is actively involved in the efforts to secure peace and stability in the Balkans, the Middle East, the southern Caucasus region and Central Asia. We also partake in their democratic and economic development efforts. Turkey enjoys the vast potential of historical and cultural affinities with many of the countries in the Caucasus region and Central Asia. We will work for the resolution of the various conflicts in the region and continue to foster ever closer relations with all of them. Cooperation can rapidly lead the peoples of this region to higher levels of wealth and prosperity. Central Asia will certainly witness tremendous economic development, given its rich human and natural resources.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“In the face of the recent wave of earthquakes, we believe this Organization can take a further step with regard to natural disasters. This would be in keeping with the greater role of the United Nations in our lives. That is why my country, together with our neighbour Greece, which also suffered a similar calamity recently, is introducing a draft resolution to the General Assembly. This was eloquently announced by my Greek counterpart, George Papandreou, yesterday in the General Assembly. We hope that it will receive Members' support. On the eve of the twenty-first century, Turkey looks forward to enhancing its contribution to international peace and stability. At the epicentre of Eurasia, it aspires to broaden the scope of cooperation and prosperity, while it continues in its traditional role of connecting continents and civilizations.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)
“The devastating quake claimed more than 15,000 lives, and thrice as many were wounded. It left about half a million people homeless. We have, undoubtedly, derived great fortitude from the exemplary display of solidarity and the swift response of the international community. The best qualities of human nature were at work: sharing the other's agony and lending a hand to help heal and to reconstruct. I would like to convey the gratitude of the Government and the people of Turkey to all Members, the international community, the United Nations system, along with the numerous volunteers and individuals who stood with us at our most trying hour. We express our deep feelings of sympathy for and solidarity with those affected by the earthquake near Taipei.”
1999-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 54 (1999)