Obama names Turkish PM Erdoğan among trusted friends
Turkey and US relations visibly improved in 2011, reflected by the Obama-Erdoğan friendship, despite strained relations between US ally Israel and Turkey. AP photo
In an interview with Fareed Zakaria, the Editor-at-Large of Time magazine, Obama named Turkish PM Erdoğan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and British Prime Minister David Cameron among leaders that he was able to forge "bonds of trust."
Responding to a question on whether his style of diplomacy was “very cool and aloof,” and that he does not “pal around” with his counterparts, Obama said that the “friendships and the bonds of trust” that he has been able to forge with a whole range of leaders is “precisely, or is a big part of, what has allowed us to execute effective diplomacy.”
“I think that if you ask them, Angela Merkel or Prime Minister Singh or President Lee or Prime Minister Erdogan or David Cameron would say, we have a lot of trust and confidence in the President,” Time quoted the U.S. President as saying. “That’s part of the reason we’ve been able to forge these close working relationships and gotten a whole bunch of stuff done.”
Obama noted that the U.S. alliances with NATO, Japan, South Korea, our its close military cooperation with countries like Israel have “never been stronger.”
“In the United Nations, not only do we have a voice, but we have been able to shape an agenda,” Obama said. “And in the fastest-growing regions of the world, in emerging markets, in the Asia-Pacific region ... countries are once again looking to the United States for leadership.”
January/20/2012
Bee's note:
Wasn't Turkey the Islamic country Obama first apologized to for what Obama considered "America's mistakes"? And how about all the happy smiles and visits to mosques during Obama's first visit to Turkey! And didn't Obama prevent Congress from passing a bill noting that Turkey had indeed committed genocide 100 years ago against the Armenian people. Oh, and let us not forget that Obama has refused to visit America's ally Israel since he took Office. But, wait ... according to Obama, Israel is really not an ally of the USA.
And lastly, hasn't every Republican candidate acknowledged during debates that Turkey is NOT a "friend" of the USA; and, the US should stop the flow of aid to Turkey immediately, as it is not in the best interests of the United States.
(Photo: Obama visiting mosque in Turkey)
(Photo: Obama visiting mosque in Turkey)
Is this Obama's way of telling the Untied States - "we the people" that it matters not what we know and believe to be true, he will stick by our enemies through thick and thin? Does Obama serve the American people, or is his loyalty towards those of Islamic/Muslim countries?
Americans insist that Congress respond to Obama's "friendships" with Turkey - immediately! We cannot wait until November! Turkey's ally is IRAN and not the United States. Therefore, while weak-kneed Obama thinks he has a "trusted" friend in Turkey, the poor man is being deceived, or worse, .....
One more time, let me repeat .... TURKEY IS AN ALLY OF IRAN.
Oh, look what is happening in France: "Thousands of Turks gather in Paris to protest genocide bill ... strange how we haven't heard Turkey apologize for their "mistakes" to the world ....what say you, Obama?!
One more time, let me repeat .... TURKEY IS AN ALLY OF IRAN.
Oh, look what is happening in France: "Thousands of Turks gather in Paris to protest genocide bill ... strange how we haven't heard Turkey apologize for their "mistakes" to the world ....what say you, Obama?!