Turkey, 2011

I extend my

warm and respectful greetings to all, and hope that the

sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly will yield

fruitful results. I would like to congratulate Mr. Nassir

Abdulaziz Al-Nasser on his assumption of the

presidency, and extend my sincere appreciation to Mr.

Joseph Deiss for his service as the previous President

of the Assembly.

We are at a moment when both the international

community and the United Nations are being tested in

an unprecedented manner. I feel obliged, however, to

state very frankly that today the United Nations is not

demonstrating the leadership necessary to help

humankind overcome its fears of the future. The United

Nations must therefore reform itself and renew its

vision with a view to protecting the universal rights of

humankind as a whole, rather than act in the interest

and remain under the guardianship of certain countries.

Last month in Somalia, for instance, I personally

witnessed how the United Nations and the international

community remain helpless in the face of today’s

pressing problems. It is impossible for me to put into

words the poverty and suffering I saw in Somalia. I am

speaking of this because I have personally witnessed it,

with my family and ministers. It is not hearsay; I have

seen it myself. The tragedy of Somalia, where tens of

thousands of children have died for the lack of a mere

piece of bread and drop of water, is a matter of shame

for the international community and cannot be

dismissed in a few words. The civil war that has gone

on for the past 20 years has wiped out all of Somalia’s

resources and livelihood. The Somali people are being

gradually dragged to their death as the world looks on.

The international community is watching the

suffering in Somalia as if it were a movie. It is urgent,

however, that we face this situation, which is a test of

our humanity. In doing so, we should not only look at

the picture we see today, but also at the shameful

history that has led Somalia into this great tragedy.

Indeed, beneath the tip of this huge iceberg lie great

crimes against humanity.

In that respect, the situation in Somalia has also

revealed the deep wounds inflicted by the colonialist

mentality that kept Africa under its hegemony for

centuries. Today, however, this cold colonial attitude

stands aloof from places where it has no interest, and is

watches idly as millions of children die for want of a

morsel of bread in Somalia. I will be frank. No one can

speak of peace, justice or civilization in the world if

the cry rising from Somalia is left unheard. No words

are sufficient to describe the agony there.

Turkey’s approach to Somalia or any other

international issue is firmly grounded on humanitarian

principles, which is why we have launched a

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comprehensive aid campaign for Somalia with the

strong support of our nation. We have collected

donations from our people of about $300 million

within the past two months; moreover, our

humanitarian assistance to date totals more than

$30 million. We also organized an emergency meeting

of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul,

at which pledges exceeded $350 million.

Along with emergency humanitarian aid, Turkey

is also determined to help build the infrastructure and

facilities that will enable Somalia to stand on its own

feet. In that regard, Turkey has undertaken a wide

range of projects, from transportation to health and

education, and from agriculture to fisheries and

construction, including roads, hospitals, schools and

water wells. By reopening our embassy in Mogadishu,

we have also shown the world that claims of security

problems cannot be an excuse for delaying assistance.

Along with such measures, it is also essential that

we bring an end to the civil war as quickly as possible

and provide Somalia with democratic and unified

governance in order to succeed in the fight against the

piracy and terrorism originating there. In that regard,

we would ask everyone to consider why the

international community refuses to bestow on Somalia

the attention it has given to conflict areas elsewhere in

the world. The entire international community must act

with a sense of utmost urgency in support of the efforts

to build peace and stability in Somalia. The civil war

that has suffocated our Somali brothers for 20 years

must end without further delay.

In that context, the recent progress made by

Somali leaders towards building a national consensus

gives us hope for the future. As Somalia resumes its

well-deserved place within the international

community, the world will become a safer and more

stable place. It is precisely this understanding that lies

at the heart of Turkey’s determined efforts to help

Somalia. We are making every attempt to implement

infrastructure investments that will enable Somalia to

stand on its feet, and working unrelentingly to help

establish an environment of political stability and

peace conducive to sustainable development. We are

doing this solely because it is our humanitarian

responsibility, and with no other motive. It is our

greatest hope that the leadership demonstrated by

Turkey in this area will set an example for the entire

international community.

For us, the United Nations symbolizes the ideal

that international law and justice shall prevail over

sheer force and oppression, that peace shall prevail

over conflict, and that the conscience of humanity shall

prevail over narrow self-interest and political

equilibrium. That is what I understand the United

Nations to be.

The greatest impediment to the realization of this

ideal is the Arab-Israel conflict, which has been

ongoing for more than half a century. The fact that this

problem is still not resolved and that rights, law and

justice have been sacrificed for the sake of political

balance is the greatest blow to the our sense of

international justice.

To date, Israel has not complied with — and I

emphasize this number — 89 binding resolutions of the

Security Council. In addition, there are hundreds of

resolutions adopted by the General Assembly — this

very body — that Israel has ignored. Even more

regrettable is the fact that the United Nations has been

helpless to take a single step to end the human tragedy

suffered by the Palestinian people.

Therefore, I must ask is whether the United

Nations will fail to implement the sanctions it has

imposed on other countries just as it has failed to

implement its resolutions concerning Israel. Will the

United Nations assiduously follow through on the

resolutions it has taken with regard to other places, for

example, the Sudan? We really do need to look at

ourselves in the mirror.

This situation causes great indignation in the

international community in general. Therefore, it

cannot remain unresolved; the international community

must act urgently to heal this bleeding wound.

Israel readily uses phosphate bombs and

possesses the atom bomb, and has endured no

sanctions. But if even the hint of such a possibility

emerges elsewhere in the region, efforts are made to

suppress it. I ask whether that is fair and just.

To be frank, the problem in this context is caused

by the Israeli Government. Those who govern the

country take steps every day that, instead of paving the

way for peace, build new barriers to it. Thus, it is the

Palestinian territories that are under occupation, not

Israeli territory. It is a contradiction of history to say

that it the occupied lands are Israeli territory. It is

Palestinian territory that is under occupation. It is

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Israel that uses disproportionate force. Once again, it is

Israel that does not abide by international will.

In this context, the illegal settlements that are still

being established in the occupied territories of

Palestine, despite the calls of the international

community to stop, as well as the blockade on Gaza,

stand out in particular.

I ask the Assembly; Does the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights allow for a country,

society or people to be cut off from international

justice? In my copy of the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights, I do not see such a possibility. If you

want to send a box of tomatoes to Palestine, you must

get permission from Israel, and I do not think that is

humane.

As I have stated before, those who govern Israel

must make a choice. Loopholes in the United Nations

system and lobbies in some countries may give Israel

the opportunity to evade international law and justice

as it pursues its illegitimate actions. However, that will

not ensure — and I say this with emphasis — the

security that Israel needs today.

Those who govern Israel must see that real

security is possible only by building real peace. I

would like once again to remind Israel from this

rostrum that nothing can substitute for peace. What we

face today is not a simple equation of peace for

security. Israel must read the newly flourishing

political and social landscape in the Middle East and

understand that it will no longer be possible to carry on

in environment of continuous strife and conflict.

If we, as the international community, believe

that the ideal of establishing international peace and

security is the founding principle of the United

Nations, then it is time pressure Israel to achieve

peace, despite the actions of its leaders, and to show it

clearly that it is not above the law.

One of the most important steps that need to be

taken in this regard is responding to the legitimate

demands of the Palestinian people to be recognized as

a State and to have the representatives of the State of

Palestine take their well-deserved place in this

Assembly as a Member of the United Nations. Indeed,

in 1947 the United Nations, through resolution

181 (II), declared Palestine a State, but unfortunately

that resolution was not implemented.

Turkey’s support for the recognition of the State

of Palestine is unconditional. Turkey will continue to

work actively in the Middle East to ensure peace. We

stand ready to do so. Accordingly, we will continue to

work actively for the resolution of the Arab-Israeli

conflict, the recognition of the State of Palestine, the

achievement of unity among Palestinians, and the

lifting of the illegal blockade enforced against the

people of Gaza.

This commitment is a natural extension of our

vision for regional peace and stability and our

commitment to international law and justice. It is also

the result of the responsibility we feel in this area.

Similarly, when a humanitarian aid convoy of

participants from 33 countries was attacked by air and

sea in international waters, resulting in the deaths of

nine innocent civilians, we could not remain silent. Our

reaction to Israel was a manifestation of our

conviction.

Turkey has never pursued hostile and

confrontational policies against any State. Our foreign

policy is based on the principles of friendship and

cooperation. Our policy towards Israel is no exception

to these principles. However, Israel has seriously

wronged a country and its people who have through

history shown great friendship to it and its people.

What we demand of Israel is clear. Israel must

apologize, pay compensation to the families of our

martyrs and lift the blockade on Gaza. Until Israel

meets these demands and takes steps in this direction,

our position will not change.

Let me also emphasize from this rostrum that we

do not have a problem with the people of Israel. Our

problem arises from the aggressive policies of the

current Israeli Government. In fact, we have had very

constructive relations with previous Israeli

Governments, making great strides in a number of

areas. Currently, the source of tension is solely the

Israeli Government.

Turkey is a country that is trustworthy in the

international arena and whose friendship and

cooperation are sought. We will not abandon this

principled and determined policy.

We are witnessing a historic process of

transformation and change in the Middle East. From

the very first day when these events began, we

appealed to all administrations in the region to lend an

ear to the calls of their people for democracy. The

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ultimate source of legitimacy for every Government is,

above all, the people and its will. What needs to be

done is to ensure that the people’s will is realized in a

free and open manner.

We have also said that sovereignty derives from

the will of the people. Any sovereignty that does not

rest on the will of the people is not legitimate.

Sovereignty does not allow any leader or any regime to

repress its own people or kill innocent civilians. A

regime that points guns at its own people can have no

sovereignty or legitimacy. Today, everyone must

understand that times have changed. The era of

Governments that do not meet the legitimate needs and

expectations of their people and of administrations that

oppress and repress their people and fail to give the

highest priority to justice has come to an end.

This was the call we made. We are very pleased

to see that our calls have been heeded in Egypt, Tunisia

and Libya and have paved the way for democratic

transformation and transition on the basis of the

legitimate demands of the people in those countries.

This gives us hope for the future. We observe with

regret, however, that some countries continue to stay

behind the curve of events and react with misguided

reflexes owing to their outdated state of mind.

In that context, we are very closely following the

developments unfolding in Syria, which is our

neighbour and therefore very important to Turkey. The

current situation in Syria gives us great cause for

concern. The actions of the Government are

unacceptable and we have warned the Syrian

leadership many times to that effect. We share a

910-kilometre border. We have ties and relatives on

both sides of the border. We have always spoken the

truth, because we believe that friends always speak the

truth, no matter how bitter. We have always stated that

the voices, demands and wishes of the people must be

heard. We have said that persecution and oppression

cannot generate prosperity. We must listen to the call of

the people for democracy, not point guns at them.

Unfortunately, the Syrian leadership has

persistently ignored our warnings. Now, every drop of

blood spilled in the country only widens and deepens

the divide between the people and the administration of

Syria. Turkey will continue to support the legitimate

and democratic demands of the people of Syria and

elsewhere, and to call on regimes to respect the wishes

and expectations of their people. We expect the

international community to do the same.

In that regard, we are increasing our cooperation

with Tunisia and Egypt. In Libya, Turkey has

supported the National Transitional Council from the

very beginning. We are very proud to announce that we

were the first country to restore its Ambassador to

Libya. We will continue to staunchly support the new

Libya as it resumes its well-deserved place in the

United Nations as a democratic, united and

independent State.

During my visit to Libya last week, I went to

Tripoli, Tajura, Misurata and Benghazi, holding

meetings in all four cities. I met and spoke with the

people. I saw and sensed the righteous pride of the

Libyan people in their revolution. I also witnessed the

destruction in Misurata.

I believe that the international community must

be very sensitive to certain issues in terms of Libya.

First, Libya and its resources belong to the Libyans. As

democracy is established in Libya, it is very important

that the country’s frozen assets abroad be released

immediately so that Libya can stand on its own two

feet. We want to ensure that the Libyans have the

resources they really need. Currently, the country has

$170 billion in assets abroad, but the people cannot

benefit from them. In that regard, it is essential to

implement resolution 2009 (2011). The Libyan people

can determine their own future and we must respect

their choices.

A fair, comprehensive and lasting solution must

be found to the long-standing problem in Cyprus,

which has persisted for more than half a century. The

United Nations plan put forward in 2004 demonstrated

that the parameters of a solution are there, but that the

Greek Cypriot side lacks the necessary will to make it

a reality. The Turkish Cypriot side, however, has still

not been freed from the isolation imposed upon it, even

though it has always expressed its full determination to

find a solution. Nevertheless, the Turkish Cypriot side

has remained committed to a peaceful solution and has

participated with goodwill in the negotiations resumed

under United Nations auspices.

The objective is to finalize the negotiations by the

end of this year and have the settlement plan endorsed

in simultaneous referendums early next year, thus

enabling a united new Cyprus to take its place in the

European Union without further delay. Turkey will

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continue to provide all necessary support so as to reach

a solution as soon as possible, in line with that

timetable. I wish to emphasize, however, that if the

intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side does not

permit this to happen, as a guarantor country we will

not let the future of the Turkish Cypriots remain

uncertain forever.

Moreover, at this critical juncture, we cannot

accept any attempt by the Greek Cypriot side to act as

if it were the sole representative of the Island or had

the authority to make decisions on behalf of the

Turkish Cypriots. In that regard, the attempts of the

Greek Cypriot side to unilaterally determine maritime

jurisdiction areas and to engage in exploration

activities in oil and natural gas fields are extremely

irresponsible in terms of both timing and possible

outcomes.

In the face of these unilateral activities of the

Greek Cypriot side, which appear to be aimed at

provoking a crisis, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side

will act with common sense, but also will resolutely

protect their rights under international law. At this

point, we expect all concerned parties to work actively

to ensure that the Greek Cypriot Administration halts

these activities, which could lead to tension, not only

on the Island, but also throughout the region.

Otherwise, we will do whatever is necessary.

The illegitimate occupation of Azerbaijani

territories, which has been ongoing for many years,

must come to an end. It is unacceptable to allow the

Nagorny Karabakh conflict to remain unresolved to the

extent that it is today.

All of us bear political and moral responsibility

for resolving international problems before they lead to

stalemates. In that respect, more effective efforts must

be made to peacefully resolve the Kashmir conflict and

many other frozen disputes, which I will not enumerate

here. Conversely, peace and stability in the Balkans

can be achieved with the recognition of Kosovo’s

independence.

Turkey has always been a staunch supporter of

the principles and goals enshrined in the Charter of the

United Nations. I believe that we showed our

commitment in that respect during our tenure as a

non-permanent member of the Security Council in

2009-2010. I also believe that our effective

performance at that time attests to what we intend to do

if re-elected to the Security Council for 2015-2016. In

this regard, I to take this opportunity to reaffirm that

we count on the support of all the Members of the

General Assembly for Turkey’s candidacy to a

non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the

term 2015-2016.

As yet another manifestation of our support for

the goals of the United Nations, we are also determined

to pursue the Istanbul Programme of Action adopted at

the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least

Developed Countries, which Turkey hosted early this

year. We are also continuing our efforts to implement

as soon as possible the announced package of

economic and technical cooperation for the least

developed countries. As part of that package, which

includes many areas of cooperation ranging from trade

to education and agriculture to energy, we intend to

provide the least developed countries with annual

assistance of $200 million. We also envisage increasing

our direct investments in these countries to $5 billion

and $12 billion by 2015 and 2020, respectively.

We consider security, development and respect

for human rights to be integral parts of the same whole.

Together, they constitute the most fundamental

guarantee of lasting peace. Turkey will continue to

work towards the attainment of these fundamental

objectives of the United Nations and make every effort

to leave future generations a safer and more prosperous

world.