Turkey PM: If you don't want Iran to have nukes, give yours up

Imagine having to choose between Israel or Iran as your best friend.....!

The question you should ask is "What factions in Israel are now influencing Turkey?", while looking frowningly at Israel's governing elite. There's your answer.

Ask the Iranians. They claim they want to wipe Israel of the map. And they don't have a nuke.

Mark What did Turkey do to convince Iran to stop its proxy from firing unguided rockets at Israeli civilians. Oos I guess it just slipped your mind..

How can Israel be "wiped off the map" if there are no nuclear weapons ? And if Israel can have nuclear weapons why cannot Iran ?

"Are you trying to say that the Christian world consider Jews its friends?" 1.Jews lived free and had equal rights in Christian Germany before hitler and were in the government and big busines(hitler was a ocultist and not christian). 2.Jews never had equal right with the turks in Turkey or any other muslim country(they were called milliet in Turkey). 3.Show me one muslim country where muslims like jews and do not want to wipe Israel off the map.

So thus statement has no meaning if mIran is telling the truth does this not seem like an odd thing for a trade partner of 30 bilion annually, close friend and brother to Iran to say one might construe such a statement due to the proximity of it's stater, as noted by erdogen, to be indirectly from Iran or on behalf of Iran which would be very puzzling news and would question the honesty and integrity of Iran and their true goals of this program amazing how with just a few words the conversation so quickly swithes from iran nation who has expressed desire to use such weapons to israel who has never used nor expressed a desire to use these weapons

since 1952. Turekey has much, much, more of a right and entitlement to EU membership by service to European security during the cold war than Israel does. Geographically it is more a part of Europe

I think Mr. Erdogan is correct regarding ridding the world of certain things. I beleve that the world first needs to be rid of its dependance on oil. That would certainly derail the power that Iran and most Arab oil states have over Western political decisions. Sure Israel has nukes, Maybe? Why should IRan subject itself to inspection and not Israel? Well for starters Iran is led by seriously deranged Ayatollahs and a man that wants to eradicate Jews worldwide starting in Israel.

When Israel has nukes there is no reason that Iran should give up enriching uranium. This is a very stupid excuse that Israel has not signed NPT and Iran has signed. Either israel should sign it or Iran should withdraw immediately. Moreover, those countries like Russia, UK and US which have signed NPT never complyed with it and multiplied their arsenals. This NPT is just a trap for developing countries and those who are not member of an exclusive club. What is the use of being a member of IAEA. After all they never helped Iran in anyting including peaceful programs in the last 30 years. 20 years ago Iran wanted to buy 5% enriched uranium for its reactor at Tehran and everybody refused to sell. So when they say stop it and we will sell u Uranium Iran cannot trust them. Europe and US have always broken their promises.

" who want these arrogant sanctions, need to first give these [weapons] up." E " countries opposed to Iran's atomic program should give up their own nuclear weapons" E Sir, Turkish PM appeals to the US, the UK and France to give up their nuclear weapons - very very rational man in your view. In my view he is the idiot who brought severe difficulties to his country.

In Erdogan's logic one should also question why Turkey has the world's 4th largest military forces? Why is Erdogan in the process of building two nuclear plants in Turkey (One around Sinop is in the process of competitive bid - or in reality who ever gives the biggest bribe wins) Now Murat bey: Israel is about the size of NJ with 5 million population surrounded with hostile nations and Iran which is constantly threatening to wipe out Israel. Israel needs the nuclear deterrent in that case. Put your hand in your conscience (Elini vicdanina koy) and think with no prejudice for a moment. You will then agree with me but probably never admit to it.

good question to ask of Mr. Peres... If one could abstract away the names of contributors those would be Tzipi's words in her campaign to replace aging president ( let's forget for a moment that she was FM + p. r. PM at the time and the one fully responcible for Israel policies) It would take Herculean effort to clean up the stables after our so - called "left" before both Arabs and Israelis ( sic. not just Jewish people ) can move on. The minefield of lies, Swiss bank accounts, and parochial interests threaten Israel yet again as if she is bound to return to the foot of mount Sinay forever before cleansing rain comes down from the heavens. The most interesting part is Israel is happily going about this Herculean effort right about now... wait and see.

The shift in Turkey's atttitude towards Israel,over the past three months is truely unreal.

I personally think Iran will have good relations with Turkey regardless of the regime in power. It has been so for centuries despite the many different dynasties coming and going as well as the latests. The Persian-Turk dynamic is a well-done and mature relationship that has been stabilized for centuries now. While I may not know what the future has in terms of centuries from now, but for any foreseeable future (our lifespan) it will remain cordial and cooperative. Regardless of either country's swings toward secularism or otherwise. I (as well as my Turkish friends)may not like Erdogan personally, but the fact that he IS pointing to hypocricy here doesn't have anything to do with my personal feelings about his political agenda. As the famous Turkish proverb goes: Stick the needle into yourself (to see how it hurts) before you thrust the packing-needle into others....

before preaching to Israel. And stop bombing Kurds in Iraq.

Turkey begged Israel to stop Cast Lead. Turkey asked Israel to talk about peace with Syria. Turkey supported Obaman`s peace initiative. So Israel heaped hatred upon Turkey. That was a lot of fun. Now Turkey strikes back in a most sneaky way. You reap what you sow. Interesting spin, Mark. Although Turkey had many reasons to `strike` back at Israel before, namely Lebanon war, she did not. Everyone had `raised the head a notch` in the ME, and it has to do with something called White House change.

How a country like Turkey which still denies the Armenian genocide of 1915, can dare to judge us ?

In Erdogan's logic one should also question why Turkey has the world's 4th largest military forces? Why is Erdogan in the process of building two nuclear plants in Turkey (One around Sinop is in the process of competitive bid - or in reality who ever gives the biggest bribe wins) Now Murat bey: Israel is about the size of NJ with 5 million population surrounded with hostile nations and Iran which is constantly threatening to wipe out Israel. Israel needs the nuclear deterrent in that case. Put your hand in your conscience (Elini vicdanina koy) and think with no prejudice for a moment. You will then agree with me but probably never admit to it.

To compare Iran and Israel is dishonest and disingenuous. Iran has threatened the nuclear destruction of Israel. These threats alone justify a preemptive nuclear strike on Iran. Striking their nuclear facilities alone will not end the existential threat already stated by Iran. No one should expect the Jews to wait and see if Iran will carry out their threats of annihilation of Israel.

In Erdogan's logic one should also question why Turkey has the world's 4th largest military forces? Why is Erdogan in the process of building two nuclear plants in Turkey (One around Sinop is in the process of competitive bid - or in reality who ever gives the biggest bribe wins) Now Murat bey: Israel is about the size of NJ with 5 million population surrounded with hostile nations and Iran which is constantly threatening to wipe out Isreal. Israel needs the nuclear deterrent in that case. Put your hand in your concience (Elini vicdanina koy) and think with no prejudice for a moment. You will then agree with me but probably never admit to it.

The way you talk I had to double-take! If iran is that unworthy then why the hell your batthi giraffe of a president brown-noses the mullahs so much? Let me tell you exactly what will happen: Iran's regime is on its last breath. The people are serious and mean business when they say the regime is illegitimate. The regime wil fall before you see the end of your president's presidency (haha I forgot, that will NEVER HAPPEN!). Regardless, we will have good relations with the Turks like we have had for centuries, we will also have good relations w/ Caspian corridor countries (ie Armenia). We'll have good relations with Israel as well. With the mullahs gone, Hezbollah and hamas are on their own. You are safe this winter but I suggest you start looking for alternatives for your next winter heat source. We'll be settling some serious score with you people. Get ready!

Turkey doesn't need EU membership. The right place for Turkey is at the head table in an alliance of muslim states, and not at the worst table in the EU. Viva Erdogan - he is a man of true integrity, leadership and vision. The neocons are dead and humiliated - long live the neo-Ottomans.

You wrote :"Okay, then we should promote for Israel and the enemies of Iran to get nukes also and aim them at Iran. Then once they blow everything up, we can rebuild it and make it ours. Simple plan. Oh yeah, and aim them at Turkey too!!!" lol what a deluded and cowardly post. When all this happens you will of course be in Israel supporting them, won't you ? No, you will be watching it from the safety of your cosy armchair on TV,thousands of mile away,like it was some kind of sick video game. Armchair warriors are pathetic.

I read that Henry Morgenthal hated the Germans so much that after WWII, he suggested they be put on farms to unlearn their warrior ways, etc. Japan was not allowed to have an armed forces again. These warlike people should not be allowed to have armed forces and nuclear arms because of their desire to war; they cannot be counted on to be responsible. Morgenthal saved many Armenian lives and Jews. He was a humanitarian; a rare breed among men.

This reminds me of the cold war years between the USA and Russia and the nuclear threat. The slogan was should we choose to be "all red or all dead"? There are people who prefer to be all red (socialists) and those who prefer to be all dead (hard liners). Which would you rather be?

Some here argue that, as long as US and other powers have nuclear weapons, Iran should also be allowed to develop them. This is a foolish argument. Would you give a gun to a mental patient just becuase other people have guns? This is the equivalent of some people reasoning here: "Well, it is legal to own guns, and look the police carry guns... so we should let the mental patient have a gun too!"

... I sincerely hope the EU will continue rejecting Turkey's application for membership. Turkey is too foreign, too anti-Western, too Muslim to be part of anything called 'Europe'. I'm hoping Nato gives Turkey the boot, too. Israel would be a much more reliable, and equally well-placed, ally in Western Asia.

It was Pakistan who acquired the nukes first; Bhutto's dream to have a united Islamist block, nuclear armed, equal to Russia and the USA. It was India's failure after independence to keep Pakistan as an autonomous region. The population transfer and separation of muslims and hindus was a mistake. Peace comes from intermixing and co-existence. Now the Islamist block is slowing coming into realization as Iran, Turkey join. What is the end of this? Peace and prosperity; or more war? For the doomsayers and end-of-the-worlders, there is another path, the path of peaceful co-existence. Turkey has never been able to follow peaceful co-existence, it's kill or be killed; Armenian genocide, Kurds, Cyprus, Alevis, Israel next? It's like reliving the old Indian wars and good ole Cowboy Bush was in the saddle. Erdogan and Ahmadinejad the new "Crazy Horse" or "Sitting Bull"? These people are naive to say the least.

In Erdogan's logic one should also question why Turkey has the world's 4th largest military forces? Why is Erdogan in the process of building two nuclear plants in Turkey (One around Sinop is in the process of competitive bid - or in reality who ever gives the biggest bribe wins) Now Mutat bey: Israel is about the size of NJ with 5 million population surrounded with hostile nations and Iran which is constantly threatening to wipe out Isreal. Israel needs the nuclear deterrent in that case. Put your hand in your concience (Elini vicdanina koy) and think with no prejudice for a moment. You will then agree with me but propably never admit to it.

The simple admission that Iran's goal is to allow Hezbollah to attain a nuclear weapon, not for "peaceful purposes."

What are the Moral standards of Turkey : a state policy of denying the Armenian genocide, a systematic bias and hostility against Israel and Israelis, shading off into obsessive hatred and demonization with obvious antisemitism dimensions, an Islamic obscurantism, harshly opposed to the full equality between men and women and muslim and non-muslim. And last but not least, Mr Erdogan calls Iran "our Iranian friends, our brothers", a country which openly says that he wants to wipe Israel off the map in a matter of seconds. My question is simple : how can we be so blind to not realize that Turkey has become an other Islamic ennemy ????

"The fundamentalist Muslims do not like the Christian and Jewish world. They are not our friends." Are you trying to say that the Christian world consider Jews its friends? Look at what the Christian world did to the Jews. (1) Christian Germany with its Holocaust and Christian Spain with its inquisition! And where did most Jews take shelter from the fatal abuse of their Christian "friends"? In mostly Muslim countries - as you well know if the word "history" rings any bells in your head. With friends like the Christian World, who needs enemies? Just ask the people of Japan, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Pakistan!

Any hate speech directed at Turkey by Israeli leaders will do.At Turkey Mr Lincoln. PS Without the maximalist demand on Golan including the area,that was never Syrias to start with,by the waters edge they would have it by now. Did Edrogan beg Hamas to stop the Qasssams? Did he beg Hamas to stop saying one thing for the West another to their people in their media? Did he ask them to stop racist incitement that would have made Goebells&Hitler blush?

Well Lieberman threatened to nuke the Palestinians, so much for Israel never threatened anyone...

... Haram Regime! Erdogan has opened his mouth wide and is allowing himself to be stuffed with all sorts of hand-wrapped "trojan horse goodies" from the corrupt, dictatorial hijackers of Iran. For this simpleton, the taste of pistachios and caviar easily overpowers the bloody aftertaste of Iran's captive citizens courageously striving to live and breathe in freedom. When Ergodan is finally baked to imperfection in the hand made Revolutionary Guards reinforced and heavily guarded oven, Turkey is one unappetizing dish that the free world will readily pass on. Turkey is against all nuclear weapons supposedly as they handily achieved genocide against the Armenians with conventional power alone.

It is only a secular democracy in name. To the extent that the Turkish government calls the shots, the Mullas might as well be in power. Erdogan is a prisoner of tribalism. All that counts is blood relations. Certainly not justice. Those who are under attack and have not and will not attack others need the big detterent. Were it not for that, one wonders whether even today there would be an Israel. Erdogan may wish to ingratiate himself with the vermin that run Iran and oppress Iranians but that alliance has not staying power because its an evil alliance. Theocracy and ideology of the type Iran leadership clings to, and which Erdogan aspires to, ultimately defeats itself. Sadly when it does, there are lots of innocent victims. But less than if it doesn't.

this rabid erdogan is another of iran's mouth pieces...Offcourse he's reffering to the Israeli nuclear program...Surrounded by a sea of sworn enemies Israel needs a detterent to stop them,but Israel never threatened to whipe out anybody...iran has a very advanced nuke program and all the time threatens to whipe out Israel...Why should Israel give up its detterens and placew itself at the mercy of the iranian mad dogs???Only in the sick minds of fundamentalist moslems like ahmadinejad,erdogan and all the other hitler wannabes...

You talk as though Erdogan can be trusted. But understand this. He and his party are NOT friends of the West. Turkey's secular leadership was pro-Western, but they did not reflect the rural fundamentalist majority which is Erdogan's power base. The fundamentalist Muslims do not like the Christian and Jewish world. They are not our friends. In particular, they are opposed to Israel and to the U.S. (as long as it remains pro-Israel). Erdogan is playing to his constituency, which is not the military or the secular urban business class. Eventually his anti-Western policies will probably provoke a military coup to restore a secular government. Until that time, the U.S. and Israel need to resist overreacting to Erdogan's provocative rhetoric, lest they play into his plan of turning the Turkish public against them.

This is the point which hypocrates and westerners shy away from saying, this is their double standard. Erdogan is very much right to say what he said, fully supported. Why are you worried about Iranian peaceful nuclear while you possess lethal WMD in your hand, all these are israeli farce.

In today's world, any country who uses nuclear weapons is sure to start a world nuclear war. The chances of the survival of life on earth would be slight. China, Pakistan, North Korea and Russia have nuclear weapons. Do you suppose those countries would automatically side with Israel? In any case, will Israel give up its nuclear power facilities because that is the real issue here - nuclear power. With nuclear power Iran will surely be better able to meet the industrial, and domestic needs of its people, as well as harvesting and selling Iran's vast energy reserves (*oil* *natural gas*) more efficiently, and that is another bugbear for Israel - Iran is an oil power, and Israel is not! Cheers.

With all due respect... Erdogan's belligerent attitude towards Israel; and even more so directly towards its leaders - hardly puts him in any reputable diplomatic position to sound off any comments regarding Israel. Does anyone take this guy seriously?

Israel and the US like to say every option re Iran should remain on the negotiating table. Of course, they mean the military option. But if you are going to include everything, what about putting Israel's nuclear weapons on the negotiating table?

turkey has sought for years to join the EU, but the EU keeps delaying the agreement, now that turkey has seen that it is not wanted and would never be able to join, it must look for other partners and a new alliance, and whos to blame? the EU, because they wouldn't allow them to join and woo them away from others.

every word he says is 100% correct and logical, those that HAVE these weapons are the ones who bully.

I don't like Erdogan at all, but he's right. Middle East needs fair relations to reconstruct peace.

maybe this is all posturing for turkey to turn a blind eye to the west and nato, form alliances with iran and syria and then invade the kurdish areas of iraq. lets face it, european union membership will never happen with this type of rhetoric or islamic alliances. Turkey is acting out and sees its future with those who oppose the west. in the process turkey will likely try to grab the kurdish parts of iraq for itself once the american army is out of the country or has significantly diminished it presence.

"Erdogan also said Turkey wants the Middle East, and in time the world, to be free of nuclear weapons." The first step I would have thought would be to make sure that no more countries become nuclear. Erdogan's argument parrots Ahmadinejad's completely illogical diatribe from last week. That is... 1/. Iran only wants to produce electricity, not weapons. 2/. If Israel wants Iran to stop producing "electricity", Israel should give up their nukes as fair trade. 3/. We believe the world should be nuke free anyway and the best way for this to be achieved is for Iran to continue with its nuke program.

What regional power? Turkey has a 530 billion dollars of foreign debt, if they don't come to an agreement with the IMF it will be banckrupt within 3 months thanks to erdogan and his policies. Almost 50% of the population is surviving on bread and water. The turkish economy regressed almost 13% since 2009.

#2 you're RIGHT ON! That's exactly what's happening. The West is so clearly xenophobic and has turned its back on Turkey... now Turkey is finding it easier to turn east and become a regional power, a power that is tough to ignore. Thank you, EU, Turkey is simply giving you the finger now!

Turkey begged Israel to stop Cast Lead. Turkey asked Israel to talk about peace with Syria. Turkey supported Obaman's peace initiative. So Israel heaped hatred upon Turkey. That was a lot of fun. Now Turkey strikes back in a most sneaky way. You reap what you sow.

turkey went as far as establishing normal ties with Israel in order to appease the key keepers of Europe, that didn't help, so its normal to take the opposite course, remember opposite attracts.

isaaq, well summed up, the eu for 40 years said that the turks could not be admitted due to economic reasons, than they admitted countries that were 100 fold weaker. What hypocrisy. What else can the turks do? Or do they want the turks to go east? time will tell

Asserting his role and his nation's role as a regional power and declaring only what makes common sense.

I'd vote for you in minute.. Thanks! you're RIGHT ON!

to build a bomb. Amazing how the whole world knows what is going on but they all willingly accept Iran's BS.

They are just waiting for an opportune time to pull out anyway.

... Haram Regime! Erdogan has opened his mouth wide and is allowing himself to be stuffed with all sorts of hand-wrapped "trojan horse goodies" from the corrupt, dictatorial hijackers of Iran. For this simpleton, the taste of pistachios and caviar easily overpowers the bloody aftertaste of Iran's captive citizens courageously striving to live and breathe in freedom. When Ergodan is finally baked to imperfection in the hand made Revolutionary Guards reinforced and heavily guarded oven, Turkey is one unappetizing dish that the free world will readily pass on. Turkey is against all nuclear weapons supposedly as they handily achieved genocide against the Armenians with conventional power alone.

What's the difference between this two countries.None.Both countries are openly anti-western and anti-Semitic.Supporting Turkey we indirectly support Iran.

Turkey is a regional power that has committed genocide. Not surprising that someone like you admires them. However, the rest of the world cannot be fooled that easily by an Islamist regime.

you point is invalid, makes no sense, how would that even the playing field? you can't compare a nuke to a cheap scud missile! what you smoking dude! your whole argument is B.S!

Erdogan has called the world on its obvious hypocrisy. The people of nations have recognized this, even if their governments pretend otherwise.

with Israel? Is it possible that Ahmadinejad is lying? Or is it Edrogan.? What about the Islamic bomb in the hands of double dealing Pakistan?

with Israel? Is it possible that Ahmadinejad is lying? Or is it Edrogan.? What about the Islamic bomb in the hands of double dealing Pakistan?

Arab states do not consider Israel an existential threat. Dennis Ross quotes an unamed Arab diplomat (Myths, Illusions and Peace p.278) "We know that Israel has a bomb in the basement, but Israel keeps it in the basement. On the other hand, if the Iranians get the bomb, they will wave it. This will cause problems...And as King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia reportedly told Vladamir Putin, if Iran goes nuclear, so will Saudi Arabia."

. . .into the EU. they still have a long ay to go before they can consider themselves part of the Western World.

States who are in the least postion to disctate anyone else on this issue have no business nosing into who should and who should not have nukes topic. Israel has no say in this. If they think this is a mortal threat, then they are free to start a war I suppose. Nuclear club can not tell anyone to disarm, with US being the first and only party to nuke unarmed civillian populations. Iran's armies did not cross its own borders in 5 centuries, how dare Israel tells them and the world what to do?

the two, though sr ahmadina-nut job would love the world to think so and has obviously pulled the wool over your eyes the turkish fool and ahmad want the world to believe in the "israeli nuclear threat" aka a non threat deterrent to further attempts to wipeit off the map which has likely been ongoing for 40 + years now.... israel has never used nor actually threatened use of such weapons in all that time.... if iran seeks to justify an arsenal of its own (a nuclear program which mind you is supposed to be for "peaceful" purposes) it will have to look elsewhere than a made up israeli threat....the only aggression and talk of destruction has been of iran toward israel not the other way

Either has Erdogan went mad, Im not jokeing!Or there is something big and evil conspiring!Israel, dont accept this, take action, the sooner, the better!!!!

For one, the West is not the Best for two, the West does not care about democracy or "freedom" you can have nuclear weapons, but only once you get down on your knees and suck the big fat golden American Digaling. For three, Iran has a right to enrich uranium. and every one here seems to think that whatever Israel or America wants that doesn't get through the UN Security Counsel and thinks the UN is "pointless" remember, Israel and America are two countries in well, a 100+ nation world. Or are we and the Arabs just not important enough for you?

What Erdogan and other muslims realy want, is "A world free from nuclear weapon and jews.

It's a good thing Israel has nuclear weapons. Israel's possession of nuclear weapons guarantees that no country will ever invade Israel, and it guarantees Israel's survival. If every other country in the world had nuclear weapons as well, they too would enjoy the same security. The USA will never invade North Korea, because it has nuclear weapons. The USA would not have invaded Iraq if it had had nuclear weapons. If every country has nuclear weapons, international aggression will be impossible. A nuclear world is a peaceful world.

...disclose the worst kept secret in the world--Your Nuclear Arsenal! Join the NPT Treaty..allow inspections.. Israel, love ya, but get modern and help prevent an arms race.

It's a little bit hypocritical of you to say NEVER but to demand of Iran to say OKAY. Your country is no better than any other, and if one nation has a right to a certain weapon or technology then ALL have the same right. Wouldn't you agree? (or do you consider Israel to somehow be SPECIAL?)

Considering the continued animosity and dedication of Israel's neighbors to her destruction, Israel should not even consider disarmament until Russia, China, Pakistan, India, North Korea, Great Britain, France and, of course, Iran, have completely disarmed as well.

Israel realizes its position in the region ,unfortunatly, being viewed by its neighbours as an "unwelcomed entity", a view that hasnt changed for over 60 years and therefore has the right to acquire any tool that will maintain its security and ensure its ability to retaliate. Iran doesnt have such a position in the region (among its brothers and sisters!) and doesnt require similar tool. Iran behaviour proves its unworthiness.

Whenever there is a news about Turkey, most commentators mention either so-called genocide or EU membership. Now they should know that EU membership is not our dream, not anymore. We want that to happen, but we think it is also in the best interest of EU. Maybe more than Turkey's. Besides we are in Europe. More than 3 million Turks live in Europe. Europe is getting older every passing day. Even today without Turks Germany industry would have difficulty. And old EU needs energy. And the way it to get energy is Turkey. Lastly, no body should worry if Turks has a say in world's politics. They have always been fair to other peopple, they are and they will always be.

Because afterwards they knew of Israel's nuclear weapon's existence and did not dare try again to get rid of Israel ever again. And you'd say it's not necessary for the good of humanity? It's the foundation of statu quo! Besides, Lebanon Palestinian entities and Gaza attack as Palestinians, there's a subtle difference: it's not Arabs, which confirms what I say.

If sanctions are imposed on Iran, the next obvious target is Turkey for its genocide against the Kurds. It is understandable why all of a sudden they are so defensive

Except for the Norwegians every body can see the man in the white house for what he realy is, a sorry sight. In a world without policeman evey big mouth is one. The real problem is that if Turkey, Iran, Venezuela and North Korea will start policing the world with Libya chairing the general assembly every body & brother & sister will start making A weapons and it will become a very dangerous place. It is also possible that some people in the USA will think that the best way out of the whole mess and the best way to teach the idiots a lesson will be to bomb the hell out of Iran, and will do it.

You are right, very true and fair Mr. Erdogan

the nothern half of Cyprus.... When the illegal occupation ends and the liberation of the cypriots is achieved, and a full admission of guilt over the murder of millions of Armenians, then Turkey can re-apply to the EU...

But he does so with a sound and reasonable argument. Israel has not made the case why it should be an exception on the rule of 'egalité'.

I hope Erdogan, who I admire for making peace with Armenians, will go away, and let the normal Turks get back in power. Israel is no ally of NATO, but bad it is when a NATO member starts calling Ahmadinijad, who I despise for being a dictators puppet and a holocaust denier, a "brother". Red lights in London, washington, Berlin and Paris please! This is not good. This is the wrong time to massivly increase investments in Iran. Later when this nuclear controversy has ended, go ahead, but NOT now! Erdogan is betraying NATO and showing Europeans EXACTLY what they fear with a Turkish EU-membership. Not constructive at all! Erdogan feeds the far right and the fascists with his incomprehensible allignment with the theocratic dictatorship. Not good, not good. Actually, this was the worst news I have heard since the Israelis started their, with no doubt, criminal Gaza offensive ! If turkey wants to be included in Europe, they must DO something with their human rights record!

Israel must always have the upper hand. ITs just the way it is in the Middle east

Who is more dangerous? 1) Iran who repeatedly says that it will wipe-out Israel and Jews who control the world, and believes in suicide (50,000 people have already registered to commit suicide in official government registry)? OR 2) Israel who has atomic weapons since the 50's but never/ever threatened anyone with nuclear destruction?

That despite their public pronouncements that nuclear goals by Iran are for "peaceful purposes," that the true intent is a nuclear weapon. Thank you for the clarification.

e unless they This is logical news. Turkey willk never join the EU because referendums in France and Austria will reject it. The EU will still have excellent relations with Turkey. It has had a free trade agreement with the EU since 1995. Now Iran, Armenia, Turkey will start a strong ME grouping which will be joined by Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. America will have little influence if they do not bring Israel to heal

I hate to add to the Israeli scaremongering, but really! look, I often critiscise Israel harshly, but think please. Iran is not a normal state. you may say that israel isn`t either, and I very much agree. However, Iran is a Authoritarian theocracy with an ideology which is revolutionary. For your information, this means that they seek to spread their influence. This is NOT good for myriad of reasons. Of course, Iran will NOT nuke Israel, but they ARE developing nuclear weapons, and they will USE them (not as in detonate) for political purposes. This is DESTABILASING! I want, as much as you, Israle to get rid of their disgusting nukes, but Iran, with their dictatorial leaders to gain nuclear weapons, is not good at all! Few countries breach human rights so methodically as Iran. yes, I dare say, they are even worse than Israel in this regard. Or at least, they are hardly better. Implications of Iranian nuclear arms? "Rocket Diplomacy" and blackmail, that is their goal!

Turkey must have nukes too.

Okay, then we should promote for Israel and the enemies of Iran to get nukes also and aim them at Iran. Then once they blow everything up, we can rebuild it and make it ours. Simple plan. Oh yeah, and aim them at Turkey too!!!

Obama says sorry to the Islamic world 3 times since comming to power... Apparently this is interpreted as an act of weakness for the Arabs and now the Arab world is shifting to whom it believes is still powerfull (Iran)... Scary the thought that we have to endure 3 more years of this missguided idealist...

Impeccable Turkish logic. I guess if Israel doesn't give up it's nukes and Iran gets theirs, he'll be fine with the Armenians and Kurds getting theirs. Wa to go, Erdagon!

It is about time Turkey to show leadership and clear stand on many things. Turkey is a regional power and should not be ashamed to assume such title.

"I think that those ... who want these arrogant sanctions, need to first give these [weapons] up. We shared this opinion with our Iranian friends, our brothers." What can one say about Ahmadinejad's new friend and brother??? Except, maybe, that Netanyahu and Lieberman, particularly the latter, (did he really say "nuke them"??), have have been instrumental in Mr Erdogan's new choice of friendship...

...thank you Mr. Erdogan...you can go and tell your best "friend" Ahmadinejad that : NEVER.

and no 'special' consideration

are those with cellars.

O.k. lets even the playing field. Reduce the populations of Arab countries, eliminate any collective advantage that Islamic countries have with conventional weapons. Fair is fair. And one more thing, make sure the Turkish army and police force has no military advantage over insurgents within your country, insurgents who have a legitimate right to self determination. Heck, Erdogan what a good idea?

...So Trukey has no choice but to look East -the so-called "enlightened" nations of the EU have drawn a clear line and said there is no place for a progressive, secular Muslim democracy in the EU, but there is place for poor, xenophobic Christian countries like Poland, Romania and Croatia.

It was probably not very diplomatic of him to declare so blatantly that the emperor does not have cloths, but then again, that is the blatant truth. What sense does it make for the world nuclear powers to try prevent others from obtaining it while they have reaped the benefits, and continue to do so, of that leverage. Iran's armies have not crossed their borders in 5 centuries. Israel is NO position to opine on this matter.

and Turkey may be even much stronger and much more usefull and convincing if it creates its own Economic Union outside of the Brussels cage. Europe brings you down, do you really need it?

tashakor Turkiye.