Turkish business leaders congratulate Obama

The democratic culture seen in the recent US election campaign should set an example to Turkey, said the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) yesterday. Congratulating US President-elect Barack Obama, a TUSIAD statement said Obama's victory is a very good example of tolerance and a culture of compromise. Turkish-American Business Council (TAİK) head Haluk Dincer called the US a land of opportunities, adding, "Obama's victory should be seen as evidence of the US' ability to renew itself and its strong democracy even during the hardest of times. It can rise from its ashes, and this is its greatest strength. I believe that everything will get better, and that in the new era the US public will cast off economic fears." Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA/AmCham) head Ugur Terzioglu said of the election, "Its outcome will be very good for Turkey." He said the new president will be in a better position to make changes with a Democratic majority in the Senate and House of Representatives supporting him. Obama's presidency will also benefit the world "as long as he finds good economic and military advisors," Terzioglu added.