PJ: Until the US demands that their politicians vying for the highest office in the land know something about the world in which they live, the country will be on a road to decline in essential international affairs. The election of President Obama was one of the best outcomes in recent memory in rising the status of America in most countries around the world. President Obama's thoughtful yet strong approach to international affairs has been both refreshing and inspiring. Listening to the current crop of GOP candidates constantly degrad other countries will destroy all that was improved since the current administration took office. Unleashing know-nothing Palin-sound-alikes will do nothing to improve US foreign relations and could very well do unmitigated damage to the future of the US in the world community.
Updated: According to the Washington Post's fact checker:
“When you have a country [Turkey] that is being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists, when you start seeing that type of activity against their own citizens, then yes, not only is it time for us to have a conversation about whether or not they belong to be in NATO, but it’s time for the United States, when we look at their foreign aid, to go to zero with it.”
— Rick Perry
This was the most jaw-dropping statement of the night.
The ruling party of Turkey is moderately Islamic, but it generally has not interfered with the country’s secular traditions. While Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has prodded the leadership about its commitment to media freedoms, few analysts — if any — would say the Turkish leadership is made up of “Islamic terrorists.” We really have no idea what Perry is talking about.
As for foreign aid, Turkey is a wealthy country that already gets virtually no foreign aid from the United States. The State Department this year made a request for about $5 million, which was earmarked for peace-keeping and security operations — not what one could consider traditional “foreign aid.”
Hurriyet Daily News
"It is expected of people aiming for a responsible position like the United States presidency to know more about the world and to be careful about what they say," the statement read. "Turkey became a member of NATO when the governor was 2 years old. Turkey is an important member who has contributed immensely to the Transatlantic Organization's struggle and shall remain as one," Turkish Foreign Minister.
Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns Perry's remarks
Texas governor and U.S. presidential hopeful Rick Perry suggested it might be time to kick Turkey out of NATO, calling the country's leaders "Islamic terrorists."
Perry made the remarks during Fox News' South Carolina debate, website Mediaite.com reported yesterday.
Moderator Bret Baier reportedly mentioned Turkey's ruling "Islamist" Justice and Development Party (AKP) and outlined the increasing murder rates of women, declining press freedom in the country and deteriorating relations with Israel and Greek Cyprus since the AKP came to power and asked Perry if he believed Turkey still belonged in NATO.
“Obviously when you have a country that is being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists, when you start seeing that type of activity against their own citizens, then ... not only is it time for us to have a conversation about whether or not they belong to be in NATO but it’s time for the United States, when we look at their foreign aid, to go to zero with it,” Perry said, adding that Turkey "moved far away from the country it once was in the 1970s," when Perry was stationed in Turkey as a pilot.
The report said Perry's response "might surprise many" and mentioned Turkey's longstanding alliance with the U.S. in NATO, citing an article from the Washington Post that defined Turkey as "a critical diplomatic partner engaged in a working relationship that is one of the most important but least discussed developments shaping [2011’s] change in the Arab world.”
Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns Perry's remarks
The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement that "condemned" the remarks of the U.S. Republican presidential candidate.
"It is expected of people aiming for a responsible position like the United States presidency to know more about the world and to be careful about what they say," the statement read. "Turkey became a member of NATO when the governor was 2 years old. Turkey is an important member who has contributed immensely to the Transatlantic Organization's struggle and shall remain as one."
The statement also described the Turkish political leadership as "globally respected."
"It's been shown by the low support he received ahead of the presidential race that Perry's unfortunate remarks are not taken on by the Republican voters," the statement ended by saying. "The United States has no time to lose for names who fail its allies."
Please go to the original article and read the comments:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-foreign-ministry-condemns-perrys-remarks----.aspx?pageID=238&nID=11650&NewsCatID=358
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