[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2141]]
   REGARDING THE RECENT SPEECH OF TURKEY'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND 
                MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ABDULLAH GUL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, there has been much reaction, 
and justly so, to the virulently anti-Semitic remarks of outgoing 
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir at the recent Organization of the 
Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Malaysia. His remarks, crude, 
insensitive, and untrue, have been roundly condemned by many world 
leaders--though certainly not enough who were at the OIC Conference. 
Unfortunately, the publicity over his remarks has overshadowed another 
speech by a Muslim leader, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister 
of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul. That speech is more tolerant and 
farsighted. It speaks well of Turkey's current government and the 
policies it seeks to enact. Foreign Minister Gul argues that Islam, 
tolerance, and modernization are compatible, and highlights the Turkish 
experience. I believe the speech is well worth our colleagues reading, 
and I am pleased to bring it to their attention.

   Speech by His Excellency Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister and 
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Delivered at the 
   OIC Business Forum During the 10th Summit of the OIC Malaysia, 15 
                              October 2003

       Excellencies, distinguished guests, it is a particular 
     honor and privilege to take part in this Welcoming Dinner 
     among such a distinguished group of guests and speakers.
       I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to 
     the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute for this well-
     thought occasion to discuss such a topical subject.
       Tonight I will briefly share with you Turkey's 
     understanding and practice of the relationship between Islam 
     and Modernization, and the challenge we face as Muslim 
     societies.
       Let me start by challenging the choice of a word in the 
     title of our dinner; ``Islam versus Modernization''. I would 
     decline to see Islam and modernization as competing concepts.
       The Turkish experience and many other efforts in the Muslim 
     world in political, economic and social development rest on 
     the belief that it is perfectly possible to advance a society 
     in all fields while Islamic faith and culture continues to 
     play an important role in people's individual lives.
       Our challenge is to prove that traditional and moral values 
     can be in perfect harmony with the modern standards of life.
       Not only that. Our values can contribute to and strengthen 
     the modern world. They can even be enriching for modern 
     societies.
       Excellencies, distinguished guests, I acknowledge that the 
     contemporary Muslim societies, at times, have had temporary 
     difficulties in coping with the universal developments in the 
     fields of politics, economics, science and technology.
       Yes, they have not always attained the highest standards of 
     democracy, equality, or social rights yet.
       However, the good news is that there is a growing awareness 
     of the shortcomings and a desire to overcome them.
       There are even positive steps in this direction. Today's 
     meeting is an example of this healthy debate. These are all 
     important indications.
       I am confident that the new generations of Muslims, the 
     youth, have the consciousness and the capacity to attain a 
     glorious future which will surpass their history.
       Their history as cultivated, tolerant, developed and good 
     governed people.
       Peoples which have developed sophisticated legal systems, 
     free trade networks, health institutions and schools.
       Excellencies, distinguished guests, leaving aside the 
     theoretical discussions on the issue, I would like to take 
     this opportunity to brief you on our own experience. Our 
     experience as a government, less than one year old.
       To many people, it seemed like a paradox: A government that 
     was formed by a party known to be based on moral and 
     traditional values was implementing a most spectacular 
     economic and political reform campaign in Turkey; reforms 
     that even astonished the liberals at home.
       There was nothing to be surprised about. We had put in 
     front of us a mission to accomplish: We were to prove that a 
     Muslim society is capable of changing and renovating itself, 
     attaining contemporary standards, while preserving its 
     values, traditions and identity.
       We acted on the premise that highest contemporary standards 
     of democracy--fundamental freedoms, gender equality, free 
     markets, civil society, transparency, good governance, rule 
     of law and rational use of resources were universal 
     expectations. We believed that Turkish people and other 
     Muslim nations fully deserved to have these expectations met.
       We believed that our societies could only benefit from the 
     realization of these standards. And indeed, Muslim societies 
     have the necessary historical background and moral and 
     spiritual strength to adapt themselves to modernity.
       We believed that encouraging political participation, 
     increasing transparency and accountability would make regimes 
     stronger in the long run. The result would be self-confident 
     and cohesive societies which have an interest in peace and 
     harmony.
       Our strength came from being eye to eye with our people. 
     The big support we got during and after the elections showed 
     our strong ties with our grassroots. Our experience has 
     differed from the others by not relying only on the elites.
       We began our reform from the very day we formed the 
     government: We decreased the number of ministries from 35 to 
     23, thus making the administration more streamlined and 
     efficient.
       This was followed by a Public Administration Reform project 
     aimed at the decentralization of most public services. This 
     would give the Central Government more time and space to 
     tackle the global issues while at the same time speeding up 
     the delivery of the services.
       The Penal Code, the Civil Code and the Press Law are all 
     being further modernized.
       During the eight-month times Turkish Parliament adopted 
     there major political reforms packages. These were related to 
     the process initiated by the previous governments to upgrade 
     the Turkish legislation on fundamental rights and freedoms in 
     conformity with Europe.
       Through the reforms and other measures, my Government 
     achieved the following:
       Fundamental rights and freedom were extended to the most 
     liberal standards. Some residual restrictions were removed.
       Additional facilities were provided for the fulfillment of 
     cultural and religious rights.
       The principle of zero tolerance to mistreatment and torture 
     became the basis of the relevant laws and their 
     implementation.
       The civilian nature of the administration was consolidated 
     in keeping with the European standards.
       We became party to international conventions against 
     corruption.
       Full transparency of public expenses, including the 
     military, was secured.
       Capital punishment was formally abolished. This decision 
     was further consolidated by the ratification of the relevant 
     Conventions.
       Economic reforms complemented the political ones. Priority 
     was given to the rational and effective use of our resources.
       Having told all these, I do not mean that everything is 
     perfect in Turkey. I believe that social and political 
     development is a dynamic process. It can always be improved, 
     bettered, deepened.
       The important thing is to give the societies the 
     possibilities and instruments to renew themselves.
       The important thing is not to ignore the social 
     expectations and sensitivities.
       On the other hand, we know that there is no single or a 
     simple formula to achieve this goal. We need to act in 
     recognition of our peculiarities and different historical 
     experiences.
       Yet, as Muslim societies we share a common core that is 
     rich and beneficial. This core is fully compatible with what 
     we see as universal values.
       These values are ``universal'' because no one can claim 
     monopoly over humanistic values that are the common 
     inheritance of civilization. Islam has made highly 
     significant contributions to this common civilization.
       Finally, I would like to reiterate my belief that the 
     maladies of the Muslim societies can be cured. Shortcomings 
     can be overcome. Institutions can be reformed.
       However, the problems that inflict some of the Western 
     societies, like racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, 
     materialism, violence, drugs, etc. seem to me most difficult 
     to cure. This is another important challenge that should be 
     tackled by all. May be as a theme of another meeting like 
     this one.
       Thank you.

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