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Last update - 00:52 01/01/2009
Turkish PM: Obama must rethink definition of Mideast terror
By The Associated Press
Tags: turkey, syria, israel news 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama must redefine terror and terrorism in the Middle East and use it as the basis for a new American policy.

"President Obama must redefine terror and terrorist organizations in the Middle East, and based on this new definition, a new American policy must be deployed in the Middle East," Erdogan told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Turkish leader appeared to be referring to the U.S. position toward Hamas and Hezbollah, which the United States considers terrorist organizations. While both have military wings, Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 and remains in charge following the recent Israeli invasion. Hezbollah is a major political force in Lebanon.
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As a secular Muslim country that belongs to NATO and is seeking membership in the European Union, Turkey has been a bridge to Hamas and Hezbollah.

Alluding to Turkey's unique position, Erdogan prefaced his message to Obama, saying that "compared to the Western countries, we speak best the language of the Middle East."

Erdogan, whose country has played a key role in trying to mediate among Israel and Syria and the Palestinians, said Obama's new Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, would be in Turkey for talks Sunday.

Before the December 27 attack on Gaza, Erdogan said Turkey had been deeply involved in mediating between the enemy countries and had been awaiting a response from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when the bombs started falling in the Palestinian territory.

"Even though there's now a shaky cease-fire in Gaza, the Israeli-Syria talks appear to be on hold," he said. "I see right now that this is shelved. But if the parties request it, we as Turkey would be willing to take part, to play a role in those discussions.
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  1.   I AM EMBARRASSED 00:51  |  Chai Cohen 01/01/09
  2.   Ouch! Nobody can define "terrorism" anymore 00:16  |  Natallie Durson 01/01/09
  3.   Erdogan cannot define a terrorist. He is one. 00:16  |  Steven 01/01/09
  4.   Erdogan:Turks who mardered Armenians 100 years ago were.......... 00:24  |  Vittorio 01/01/09
  5.   TURKEY as MEDIATOR- HA 00:26  |  Rich 01/01/09
  6.   Turks again have difficulty with moral clarity as in massacre of 00:27  |  common sense 01/01/09
  7.   To Natallie #2 00:44  |  Josh 01/01/09
  8.   Turkey offers to mediate 00:53  |  ILetzter 01/01/09
  9.   Erdogan Turkey 00:38  |  Ho 01/01/09
  10.   ignorant Steven, please study Erdogan`s history 00:52  |  pinar 01/01/09
  11.   Let`s ask the advice of the Armenians first! 00:00  |  Tom Lobo Meyer 01/01/09
  12.   Turkey no longer a friend of Israel 00:00  |  Ted 01/01/09
  13.   free the kurds 00:14  |  real vision 01/01/09
  14.   Natallie, to define it is the easiest thing in the world - 00:19  |  ivo 01/01/09
  15.   Terrorism is use of violence for political vice military ends 00:36  |  Voice of Reason 01/01/09
  16.   Yes you should be embarrassed, # 1 00:00  |  Palestinian 01/01/09
  17.   Indeed, to know just WHO is the real terrorist! 00:05  |  Ivar 01/01/09
  18.   Let us rethink a lot of things 00:16  |  Avraham 01/01/09
  19.   Erdogan and his waltz with Hamas 2nd try 00:18  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  20.   Pinar before you attack teh Turkish military 2nd try 00:18  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  21.   Americans are waking up to the real terrorist 00:01  |  Chris 01/01/09
  22.   watch out 00:07  |  Harry 01/01/09
  23.   FREE KURDISTAN 00:23  |  Alain 01/01/09
  24.   old school mentality doesn`t work anymore 00:33  |  Engin 01/01/09
  25.   16palestinian in AMMAN. if you are so concerned about your Gazan 00:40  |  just wondering 01/01/09
  26.   Engin from Beautiful Izmir 00:02  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  27.   I`m Not Embarrassed #16 00:53  |  Mordechai 01/01/09
  28.   Turkish Forign Policy inconsistencies 3rd try 00:56  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  29.   to 18: Avraham 00:02  |  Kaya 01/01/09
  30.   Turkey is a GREAT Country..Great People... 00:54  |  ali 01/01/09
  31.   More mind or more bombs? 00:55  |  Alp Sinan 01/01/09
  32.   29hey kaya, Schnitzel & Austrian air affecting your mind? 00:02  |  ichsheisdubeis 01/01/09
  33.   Alp Sinan - Ataturk know why 00:26  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  34.   To Josh and Natalie 00:36  |  Steve 01/01/09
  35.   Armenians? 00:38  |  REHA ARICA 01/01/09
  36.   # 31 Alp Sinan, nice post 00:02  |  Ben Alofs 01/01/09
  37.   good for israel and us 00:27  |  relalist 01/01/09
  38.   Tide is turning 00:28  |  Dan Mac 01/01/09
  39.   #7 God! How revealing are these internet commentaries 00:12  |  smuggler 01/01/09
  40.   Erdogan`s idea of redefining terrorism 00:06  |  David Israel 01/01/09
  41.   #13 00:06  |  Sukru 01/01/09
  42.   #7 God! How revealing are these internet commentaries: Smuggler 00:59  |  LoyalFriend 01/01/09
  43.   Armenians? - Reha Arica 00:06  |  LoyalFriend 01/01/09
  44.   Americans are waking up to the real terrorist: to Chris 00:13  |  LoyalFriend 01/01/09
  45.   Erdogan Turkey to HO 00:15  |  loyalfriend 01/01/09
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