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Jul 26 08 7:58 PM

The Great Mediator Nation to the Rescue

Here are the country's credentials for such a role:

“As a major country with a historical and strategic depth in the midst of the Afro-Eurasia landmass, Turkey is a central country with multiple regional identities that cannot be reduced to one unified category. In terms of its sphere of influence, Turkey is a Middle Eastern, Balkan, Caucasian, Central Asian, Caspian, Mediterranean, Gulf and cook Sea country all at the same time,” said Ahmet Davutoglu,FPIF.


The Turkish alternative
2nd May 2007



"I told Prime Minister Erdogan that I am convinced of the leading role he can play in the Middle East. Respected by the entire Muslim world, from the Gulf monarchies to the states of Central and Eastern Asia, from the Islamists of Hamas to the moderate Palestinians, Turkey has succeeded in maintaining a strong and loyal partnership with the United States and Israel as well. It thus has the legitimacy to be able to interact with all the influential participants in the area".







Turkish PM Erdogan Mediates In Middle East

April 28th, 2008 by Fred Stopsky


The presidency of George Bush has virtually lost all credibility in the Middle East due to its blatant one-sided support for Israel. Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, of Turkey, is attempting to step into the American vacuum of power by presenting himself as a neutral mediator who has the respect and confidence of both Israel and Palestinians. He is currently working to establish dialogue between Israel and Syria and might be able to expand his role to embrace a broader agenda dealing with Middle Eastern peace. Israel has close ties with Turkey, and, since Erdogan represents an Islamic party, he has the ability to reach out to diverse Muslim groups in the region as an indvidual who will not enter negotiations with a set agenda but is willing to encourage compromise.

Anaka might be uniquely quality by dint of its acceptability to key players in the region to jump start the Israel-Palestinian negotiations. Israel political leaders trust Erdogan and might be willing to participate in discussions with Hamas if such talks were organized by the Turkish prime minister.

Perhaps, it is time for Condi Rice and Bush to step down and allow Turkey to step up in assuming leadership in the Middle East.


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Setting the stage for Annapolis


Israeli, Palestinian Leaders Meet in Turkey 13 November 2007

The Turkish capital, Ankara, is hosting the Israeli and Palestinian presidents. The two leaders are meeting with their Turkish counterpart and the prime minister. ..........

The official reason for the visit of the Israeli President Shimon Peres and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas is to confirm the construction of a Turkish-backed industrial park on the West Bank.

But, analysts say the real goal of the trip is to set the stage for a peace summit in Annapolis, Maryland, later this year.. .....


Ankara has strong political and military ties with Israel and has, for decades, been one of Israel's closest allies in the Muslim world. At the same time, it has kept strong ties with the Palestinians. Turkey, which once ruled the region, has particular interest in helping to find peace.

"The Turkish public believes being the inheritors of the empire Turkey may have a special role to play in the Middle East; that It should try to play that role and it should try to place this in an even-handed fashion," (President Gul Turkey)








Lebanon could gain by recognizing - and enlisting - the new Turkey 25th April 2008

The possibilities opened up by Turkey's emerging new status should not be lost on Lebanese politicians - starting with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. No mediator has yet been identified that has been able to win the trust of both sides in Lebanon's internal power struggle, and nor has any come forward with the capacity to play a similar role in correcting Beirut's complicated relationship with Damascus. The Turks might be burdened with some baggage collected during 400 years of Ottoman rule in this part of the world, but that era is ancient history.






It's official: Damascus and Jerusalem are talking peace 21st May 2008

Israel and Syria today announced that they have undertaken "indirect peace talks, under Turkish mediation". The announcement, made simultaneously by Damascus and Jerusalem, confirms officially the rumours that have been circulating for almost a year......

......both sides have expressed their desire to conduct the talks in good will and decided to continue dialogue with seriousness to achieve comprehensive peace" according to the guidelines of the Madrid peace conference.






Turkey - Armenian Peace Talks 9th July 2008

Meeting in Istanbul, prominent private citizens from Armenia and Turkey, including former government officials, put the final touches to a reconciliation commission intended to open the way for a new era in relations between two neighbouring countries divided by nearly a century of conflict and hatred.



(The participants have been meeting discreetly for many months. On July 9 they spoke for the first time publicly about an effort likely to evoke strong reactions among Turks and Armenians worldwide)



Turkey injects peace hopes into Iran nuclear talks
26th July 2008


Just a day before his country's chief nuclear negotiator meets with representatives from world heavyweights in Geneva, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki discussed his country's contentious nuclear program with Turkish officials in Ankara and said he expected progress in the key talks.







Turkey, United Nations welcome deal on Cyprus peace talks 26th July 2008



The Turkish Foreign Ministry and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed late on Friday a decision by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders to begin full-fledged talks on ending the 44-year-old division of the Mediterranean island. Both Greek and Turkish Cypriot media on Saturday voiced cautious optimism of a breakthrough in efforts for reunification. the island.




"We should re establish social peace" 26th July 2008

Erdogan :And now if the mistakes were made and the tension has risen, then we should re-establish the social peace,"............

...........The differences among people should not be a reason to prevent a national peace, but to strengthen peace in the country,






Someone should do this burrito!
12th July 2008





Erdoğan referred to Turkey's vision in the Middle East policies during his visit to Baghdad. Erdoğan said: "we do not want to get enemies; but we want to gain new friends. The US has started to express their wish to retreat from Iraq. When this happens, Iraq will be left to define their fate. Turkey will step forward as one of the countries to rely on." Erdoğan also stated that Islamic world has lost power with the conflicts such as the ones between Sunnis and Shiites. Erdoğan said: "I am neither Sunni nor Shiite; I am only a Muslim. Someone should do this crazy burrito even if he will be criticized."