Erdogan: "If our families suffer, our nation could collapse"

If the institution of the family suffers harm, this risks the collapse of the Turkish nation, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Addressing the Fifth Family Council in Ankara, Erdogan underlined that by 2088 Turkey's population will be much older, adding, "Unfortunately, in the guise of family planning and population control, people in this nation are constantly being implored not to have children." Criticizing that advice, he stated that families' role in society has become more important. Touching on social aid to protect families, he said that Turkey currently spends 5 quadrillion YTL annually for this purpose. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Erdogan said that the election of Barack Obama as US president shows that racial discrimination is a thing of the past in the US. Touching on Obama's campaign pledge on the so-called Armenian genocide allegations, he said, "Turkish-American relations should not be affected by changes in government. I believe that Turkish-American relations should be defined by the strategic ties between Turkey and the US, not by government changes there." In related news, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal also sent a letter of congratulations to President-elect Obama.