Obama: "Turkey has the right to defend itself against terrorism"

US President-elect Barack Obama yesterday telephoned President Abdullah Gul, thanking Gul for his congratulations after the recent historic US elections. "During the conversation, Obama stated his admiration for Turks and Turkey, and that he has been following developments in Turkey with interest," according to the Presidential Press Office. "He stated that he believes Turkey has the right to fight terrorism as part of its right to self-defense, stressing the importance of the special alliance between Turkey and the US." It also said that both leaders expressed their will to work together and to consult closely on regional issues. For his part, Gul stated that Obama's message to the world of hope and change has also been embraced by Turkey, which has similar stances as the US on thorny global problems.