Gul: "Terror will be defeated through a long-term rational strategy"

The National Security Council (MGK), bringing together the president, prime minister and several Cabinet members with top military brass, convened yesterday to discuss new measures to take in the face of rising PKK terrorist attacks. President Abdullah Gul presided over the meeting, which took place at the War Academies Command in Istanbul. Addressing military staff before the MGK meeting, Gul said terrorism is Turkey's foremost issue. "There have been deep-rooted changes in our country, from politics and the economy, and from commerce to the legal system," he said. "The real goal of this transformation is to keep up with the times and not fall behind the necessities of the age." In his speech at the War Academy, he said he was happy to be visiting the 162-year-old institution. He expressed his condolences to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and said he hoped the victims of recent terrorist attacks would rest in peace. He also stressed in that Turkey needs to pursue long-term rational policies to end terrorism. "Turkey has to overcome the obstacle of terrorism and rid itself of this problem," he said. "The type of terror Turkey faces is the worst kind, as it has ethnic and separatist roots, which is why Turkey's job might be more difficult than that of others." Gul said that after the end of the Cold War, past mindsets lost their validity. He also stated that the military's service abroad strengthens Turkey. He highlighted recent transformations in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, and called Palestine a festering wound. He also touched on Central Asia, saying the countries there have a bright future ahead despite some difficulties. He stated that Latin America is also growing, but Africa remains a great wound for humanity. He also addressed technological advances in such areas of communications that have helped reshape the way people think. He said all these transformations influence governments and amount to a silent revolution. "After the end of the bipolar world and the Cold War era, we're left with a world more difficult to analyze. Now it's hard to even tell friend from foe," he said, "In today's world you might encounter enmity or friendship, sometimes from your neighbors, sometimes from your allies, sometimes from one you know as your brother, and sometimes from the unions that you struggle to be accepted in." We have to reevaluate these changing parameters and understand that we're in the midst of a very dynamic process, he added.