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Barack Obama: Borders should be opened and steps taken for the solution to Karabakh problem

06 April 2009 15:47 (UTC +04:00)

â€œTurkey is an important ally of America, an important part of Europe. I visited mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, this morning and was deeply impressed. Ataturk is the leader, who changed the history. But no monument made of stone and marble may be his heritage. The greatest heritage of Ataturk is the secular and live democracy of Turkey. It was not achieved easily. At the end of the World War I, Turkey could easily surrender, or continue the empire. But Turkey chose quite a different way, established a republic and won the respect in America and Europe. Democracy is your achievement. Turkey gained strength from the achievements of its past and new generation. Being a basketball fan, I would like to underline the achievements of Hidayat Turkoglu and Mehmet Okur in America,â€ he said.

Barack Obama mentioned that there was once slavery in the US and said every country should reconcile to its past.
â€œHistory is full of tragic realities. If the problems of the past are not solved, they will always remain on our shoulders. The happenings of 1915 should be solved by Armenians and Turks. We witness courageous steps taken in this direction. Opening of borders will bring peace and welfare to Turkish and Armenian people and serve the interests of both countries. Steps should also be taken for the solution to the long-lasting problem in Karabakh,â€ he said.

Barack Obama urged Iran to give up attempts to possess nuclear weapons and said the country was before a choice:
â€œIran should make a choice: either peace and security, or weaponsâ€.
Obama said it was impossible to justify terrorism against any country.
â€œWe do not support PKK or other terrorist organizations,â€ he said.
Barack Obama underlined that they wanted to extend relations with the Muslim world. â€œThe United States is not and will never be at war with Islam,â€ he said.