US' Obama addresses parliament

US President Barack Obama yesterday visited Parliament as the guest of Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan. After meeting with Toptan, Obama also met separately with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk.

Baykal said he and Obama had discussed modernization, democratization, the independence of the judiciary, and freedom of the press. Baykal said that he conveyed to Obama the importance of Turkey's full EU membership for continued democratization and modernization. Baykal added that Obama told him opposition was important and there was no democracy without opposition. Bahceli, for his part, said that an independent Kurdistan was not acceptable. "Efforts to bring disarmed members of the terrorist PKK into politics are also unacceptable," he added. Later, Obama addressed the full Parliament, with many members of the media also in attendance, as well as President Abdullah Gul. "Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to Ankara and Istanbul to send a message to the world. My answer is simple: evet …yes," he said. Stating that Turkey is an important US ally and an important part of Europe, he added, "Turkey's greatness lies in your ability to be at the center of things. This is not where East and West divide. This is where they come together." He also expressed support for Turkey's European Union bid, saying that Turkey's membership would broaden and strengthen Europe's foundations. Touching on the so-called Armenian genocide claims, he said, "The best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive." He added, "In the last several years, you have abolished state-security courts and expanded the right to counsel. You have reformed the penal code, and strengthened laws that govern the freedom of the press and assembly. You lifted bans on teaching and broadcasting Kurdish, and the world noted with respect the important signal sent through a new state Kurdish television station." On the Cyprus issue, Obama said the US was willing to help the parties as they work toward a just and lasting settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bizonal and bicommunal federation.