- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
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Administrators are in-charge of the forums overall, ensuring it remains updated, fresh and constantly growing.
Administrator: Jamie
Administrator: Hollie
Moderators support the Administration Team, assisting with a variety of tasks whilst remaining a liason, a link between Roleplayers and the Staff Team.
Moderator: Connor
Moderator: Odinson
Moderator: ManBear
Have a Question?
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AFFILIATIONS
Government Communication Office
- Thread starter Jay
- Start date
- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
The podium microphone hissed faintly as Şebnem Bursalı stepped up, a manila folder tucked under her arm and a mug of coffee, black, no sugar, balanced on the lectern beside her notes. The wall behind her bore the seal of the Başbakanlık. The press pool, still getting used to her tempo, was half-standing, half-seated, shuffling through their pads and recorders.
She adjusted the microphone, glanced at her watch, and gave the room a brief, almost imperceptible smile.
“Good morning. Let’s get right to it,” she said. “The Prime Minister has been in office for...” she glanced deliberately at her watch “...five days and twenty-one hours, but who’s counting? Her priority is economic growth. That’s the through-line, the starting point, and, frankly, the finish line. Every policy decision she is making right now is focused on restarting the economy and pulling this country out of the depression.”
Pens were already scratching. “Now, you’ve all been reporting, sometimes accurately, that shipping through the Bosphorus has been closed for over a week. Today, we can confirm that the closure is over. This morning, Turkish Naval Forces conducted a major clearance operation in the straits, removing forty-eight naval mines.” She glanced down at her notes, then back up. “Forty-eight. Each one capable of sinking a cargo vessel, each one placed illegally during the coalition war by Russian forces.”
A reporter in the second row mouthed forty-eight? to a colleague.
“The Prime Minister extends her personal thanks to the men and women of the Turkish Navy for conducting this operation with both courage and precision. This was not a routine sweep. This was live ordnance, in an active shipping artery, cleared without the loss of a single life.” She let that hang for half a breath before continuing.
“Now, before anyone writes tomorrow’s headline, yes, we also thank the Russian government for their cooperation in providing the location of each mine. Their maps made this operation faster and safer.
This is a crucial step in restarting maritime trade through the straits. Cargo routes reopening means export revenue flowing, it means jobs in the ports, it means fewer ships stacking up in the Sea of Marmara waiting for clearance. And that, in turn, means money in our economy. Which, if you’ve been paying attention, is the Prime Minister’s entire mission right now: end the depression, rebuild growth, get the country moving.”
She closed her folder with a single, sharp motion.
“That’s the update. Let’s take questions.”
Hands shot up. Şebnem scanned the room. The first hand was swift. It belonged to Kemal Aydın.
“Ms. Bursalı,” he began crisply, “the clearance operation took over a week, during which shipping through the Bosphorus was halted. Why wasn’t the public consulted or even informed sooner about the closure? The economic consequences of such a delay are severe.”
“Kemal, thank you for the question. The decision to close the Bosphorus was made with national security and public safety paramount in mind. We understood that premature disclosure could have caused panic in the shipping and port communities, risking further economic disruption.”
She paused, letting the room absorb the nuance.
“The closure was not taken lightly, nor was it a decision made in isolation. Our naval command, in coordination with the Prime Minister’s office, managed the operation with the discretion required to mitigate risk. The safety of our people and vessels was the guiding principle.”
Next was Leyla Kara who raised her hand and was called upon.
“Ms. Bursalı, it’s been six days since the Prime Minister took office, yet many critics say the pace of economic reform is too slow to address the depression. What is the Başbakanlık’s response to accusations that this administration is moving too cautiously?”
Şebnem’s eyes narrowed as she responded, “Leyla, sustainable reform is not something we spawn out of thin air. That would be reckless. Quick fixes and populist spending can offer immediate relief but risk long-term fiscal ruin. The Prime Minister’s approach is deliberate precisely because the country’s economic foundations are fragile. We're focused on delivering sustainable growth and our focus on bringing the public deficit down from ninety-two billion to seventy-five is not something small.”
She tapped the folder once. “We are rebuilding confidence through structural change, not headline-grabbing gestures. That takes time, patience, and a clear-eyed commitment to discipline.”
A sharp voice from the back called out.
“Şebnem, with respect, how long has the government known about the mines left by Russian forces? Could this clearance have been done sooner? And isn’t this operation just a costly use of taxpayer money?”
Şebnem’s expression tightened. “Previous governments have been monitoring maritime threats in the straits continuously since the coalition war. Unfortunately, no action was taken, and the risk of a loose mine continued to grow. The mines’ existence was a known hazard. The Prime Minister was briefed when she took office and ordered clearance plans be drawn up as soon as possible. However, clearance had to be planned with precision and safety foremost."
She leaned forward, "to characterize the protection of our shipping lanes as wasteful is to misunderstand the stakes. Every day those mines remained was a day of heightened risk, to vessels, to commerce, to lives. This operation was an investment in security and economic continuity, not an expense to be lamented.”
“Will Türkiye seek to recover the costs of the mine clearance operation from Russia, given their role in placing these hazards illegally?”
Şebnem gave a slight nod, “The Prime Minister’s office has made it clear that all diplomatic and legal avenues will be pursued to hold responsible parties accountable. Cooperation from the Russian government on mine location was a positive step, and Türkiye expects that this will be matched by recognition of liability for costs incurred.”
She straightened.
“The Başbakanlık’s priority remains, first and foremost, restoring safety and economic normalcy. Our goal right now is to deliver on those priorities."
The room buzzed with energy as more hands queued to ask questions. Şebnem smiled again, this time, just slightly. “Thank you all. We appreciate your diligence. The Başbakanlık will continue to keep you informed as this administration charts its course forward.” With that, she stepped down, the soft hum of conversation rising behind her like continued as she left the press briefing room.
She adjusted the microphone, glanced at her watch, and gave the room a brief, almost imperceptible smile.
“Good morning. Let’s get right to it,” she said. “The Prime Minister has been in office for...” she glanced deliberately at her watch “...five days and twenty-one hours, but who’s counting? Her priority is economic growth. That’s the through-line, the starting point, and, frankly, the finish line. Every policy decision she is making right now is focused on restarting the economy and pulling this country out of the depression.”
Pens were already scratching. “Now, you’ve all been reporting, sometimes accurately, that shipping through the Bosphorus has been closed for over a week. Today, we can confirm that the closure is over. This morning, Turkish Naval Forces conducted a major clearance operation in the straits, removing forty-eight naval mines.” She glanced down at her notes, then back up. “Forty-eight. Each one capable of sinking a cargo vessel, each one placed illegally during the coalition war by Russian forces.”
A reporter in the second row mouthed forty-eight? to a colleague.
“The Prime Minister extends her personal thanks to the men and women of the Turkish Navy for conducting this operation with both courage and precision. This was not a routine sweep. This was live ordnance, in an active shipping artery, cleared without the loss of a single life.” She let that hang for half a breath before continuing.
“Now, before anyone writes tomorrow’s headline, yes, we also thank the Russian government for their cooperation in providing the location of each mine. Their maps made this operation faster and safer.
This is a crucial step in restarting maritime trade through the straits. Cargo routes reopening means export revenue flowing, it means jobs in the ports, it means fewer ships stacking up in the Sea of Marmara waiting for clearance. And that, in turn, means money in our economy. Which, if you’ve been paying attention, is the Prime Minister’s entire mission right now: end the depression, rebuild growth, get the country moving.”
She closed her folder with a single, sharp motion.
“That’s the update. Let’s take questions.”
Hands shot up. Şebnem scanned the room. The first hand was swift. It belonged to Kemal Aydın.
“Ms. Bursalı,” he began crisply, “the clearance operation took over a week, during which shipping through the Bosphorus was halted. Why wasn’t the public consulted or even informed sooner about the closure? The economic consequences of such a delay are severe.”
“Kemal, thank you for the question. The decision to close the Bosphorus was made with national security and public safety paramount in mind. We understood that premature disclosure could have caused panic in the shipping and port communities, risking further economic disruption.”
She paused, letting the room absorb the nuance.
“The closure was not taken lightly, nor was it a decision made in isolation. Our naval command, in coordination with the Prime Minister’s office, managed the operation with the discretion required to mitigate risk. The safety of our people and vessels was the guiding principle.”
Next was Leyla Kara who raised her hand and was called upon.
“Ms. Bursalı, it’s been six days since the Prime Minister took office, yet many critics say the pace of economic reform is too slow to address the depression. What is the Başbakanlık’s response to accusations that this administration is moving too cautiously?”
Şebnem’s eyes narrowed as she responded, “Leyla, sustainable reform is not something we spawn out of thin air. That would be reckless. Quick fixes and populist spending can offer immediate relief but risk long-term fiscal ruin. The Prime Minister’s approach is deliberate precisely because the country’s economic foundations are fragile. We're focused on delivering sustainable growth and our focus on bringing the public deficit down from ninety-two billion to seventy-five is not something small.”
She tapped the folder once. “We are rebuilding confidence through structural change, not headline-grabbing gestures. That takes time, patience, and a clear-eyed commitment to discipline.”
A sharp voice from the back called out.
“Şebnem, with respect, how long has the government known about the mines left by Russian forces? Could this clearance have been done sooner? And isn’t this operation just a costly use of taxpayer money?”
Şebnem’s expression tightened. “Previous governments have been monitoring maritime threats in the straits continuously since the coalition war. Unfortunately, no action was taken, and the risk of a loose mine continued to grow. The mines’ existence was a known hazard. The Prime Minister was briefed when she took office and ordered clearance plans be drawn up as soon as possible. However, clearance had to be planned with precision and safety foremost."
She leaned forward, "to characterize the protection of our shipping lanes as wasteful is to misunderstand the stakes. Every day those mines remained was a day of heightened risk, to vessels, to commerce, to lives. This operation was an investment in security and economic continuity, not an expense to be lamented.”
“Will Türkiye seek to recover the costs of the mine clearance operation from Russia, given their role in placing these hazards illegally?”
Şebnem gave a slight nod, “The Prime Minister’s office has made it clear that all diplomatic and legal avenues will be pursued to hold responsible parties accountable. Cooperation from the Russian government on mine location was a positive step, and Türkiye expects that this will be matched by recognition of liability for costs incurred.”
She straightened.
“The Başbakanlık’s priority remains, first and foremost, restoring safety and economic normalcy. Our goal right now is to deliver on those priorities."
The room buzzed with energy as more hands queued to ask questions. Şebnem smiled again, this time, just slightly. “Thank you all. We appreciate your diligence. The Başbakanlık will continue to keep you informed as this administration charts its course forward.” With that, she stepped down, the soft hum of conversation rising behind her like continued as she left the press briefing room.
- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
The press briefing room was filled with reporters fanning themselves with notepads as if the air conditioning had given up out of spite. Şebnem strode to the podium, clutching a folder with the seal of the Prime Minister's Office which she laid down on the podium. She tapped the microphone twice before looking up.
“Good afternoon,” she began. “The President today signed the Turkish American Trade Agreement, bilateral trade agreement with the United States, which is projected to open millions in new trade value between our two countries, empower economic growth and activity across several sectors, and strengthen cooperation in a growingly difficult global market.”
She flipped a page her eyes scanning the text before lifting back to the room. “Specifically, the deal protects our domestic automakers by excluding them from tariff reductions. At the same time it will open opportunities for our agricultural, electronic, and textile industries gain access to a highly devloped consumer market. This will allow for expanded access in consumer goods, agriculture, and services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes this as, quote, ‘a sign of trust and growing cooperation between two importanrt partners,’ unquote.”
She closed the folder with a soft thud, offering the room a thin smile. “The Prime Minister wishes to thank the American negotiators, as well as our own trade and commerce teams, who, I assure you, are now sleeping somewhere under their desks. And with that, I’ll take your questions.”
Hands shot up instantly. She pointed to a familiar face from the Financial Times.
“Şebnem, given the economic downturn, why sign a trade deal at all? Doesn’t this risk cheaper American goods flooding the market, undercutting Turkish manufacturers at their most vulnerable?”
“Well, if the question is whether Turkish want affordable goods in a recession, my guess is the answer is yes. And if the concern is about flooding the market, I’d remind you that the agreement has carve-outs for particularly sensitive industries but also to avoid dumping of products below market price and other unfair competitive actions. The idea isn’t to drown Turkish producers. It’s to keep both economies afloat. The opening of trade means investments and economic activity will surge.”
A correspondent from The Post interjected. “But critics say this could hurt us in the long run, that Türkiye is giving away leverage for short-term consumer benefits. I can't imagine we had the best leverage or power in these negotiations. ”
Şebnem leaned forward slightly. “Trade is not a giveaway. It’s an investment in stability. In the long run, you want trading partners who share both your markets and your interests. This trade agreement is an opportunity for us to redefine our own future. It is no easy feat to negotiate a trade agreement. Türkiye is the second nation to sign a trade agreement with the United States and we believe that is a testatemnt to a growing relationship. This agreement builds trust through trade makes us stronger together, not weaker alone.”
Another voice cut in from the back, sharper, more skeptical. “Isn’t this just window dressing? A way for the Prime Minister to show activity during a recession without tackling the deeper problems?”
She tilted her head. “This trade agreement is apart of a broader effort to revitalize the economy. The Ministry of Trade is actively negotiating trade agreements with Spain, Poland, and Eran. All of which will give a much needed bost to our economy. At the same time the Prime Minister is working on a budget that reallocates spending appropriately, and investment strategy that will bring real gains to the Turkish people. This agreement will support jobs, open new markets, and leave consumers better off. Now, if you’d prefer the Prime Minister sat on her hands until the recession politely resolved itself, I’d suggest you take that up with the voters.”
Laughter rippled through the room. Finally a reporter from the Ankara Times raised his voice. “So, how does this deal actually help Turks right now, the ones worried about rent, groceries, and gas?”
Şebnem nodded as her tone softened. “The Prime Minister recognizes that people are hurting. We are all hurting. This Agreement is only a bandage. It helps by making essentials cheaper and markets more predictable. Importantly it helps by showing the world that other countries believe in the strength of our economy, that they’re willing to bet on us even when times are hard. That confidence, that trust, matters. And it’s worth saying again: trade isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s food on the table, jobs in communities, and the knowledge that we don’t have to face economic storms alone.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall, then snapped her folder closed with finality. “That’s all for today. And before you ask, no, I don’t have a comment on the football match later today. Not until I’ve had three cups of coffee and a lie down.” The room erupted in chuckles as she stepped down. The gaggle followed her out of the briefing room as they always did, hungry for scraps the podium never gave.
“Şebnem, Şebnem, one of the correspondents called, leaning forward through the closing doors. “Can you comment on the situation in the Southeast? There are reports of renewed clashes and that a government crackdowns is begining?”
Şebnem didn’t break her stride as the heels clicking steadily toward her office. She turned her head just as she approached the door to the communication office.
“At this time, I don’t have much to add on that,” she said. “We recognize its a difficult situation and we are working with national and provicinal leaders to restore order to the region. The Prime Minister is monitoring it closely. When we have something substantive to share, you’ll hear it from this podium.”
The reporter pressed her: “But does the new trade deal imply the Prime Minister is ignoring...”
Şebnem cut him off gently, her hand turning to unlock the door. “The trade deal speaks for itself. And I’d remind you that the Turkish Government can walk and chew gum at the same time. The economy and social cohesion are both priorities for us. Now, if you’ll excuse me." She said unlocking the door and leaving the reporter in the restricted press pool section alone.
“Good afternoon,” she began. “The President today signed the Turkish American Trade Agreement, bilateral trade agreement with the United States, which is projected to open millions in new trade value between our two countries, empower economic growth and activity across several sectors, and strengthen cooperation in a growingly difficult global market.”
She flipped a page her eyes scanning the text before lifting back to the room. “Specifically, the deal protects our domestic automakers by excluding them from tariff reductions. At the same time it will open opportunities for our agricultural, electronic, and textile industries gain access to a highly devloped consumer market. This will allow for expanded access in consumer goods, agriculture, and services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes this as, quote, ‘a sign of trust and growing cooperation between two importanrt partners,’ unquote.”
She closed the folder with a soft thud, offering the room a thin smile. “The Prime Minister wishes to thank the American negotiators, as well as our own trade and commerce teams, who, I assure you, are now sleeping somewhere under their desks. And with that, I’ll take your questions.”
Hands shot up instantly. She pointed to a familiar face from the Financial Times.
“Şebnem, given the economic downturn, why sign a trade deal at all? Doesn’t this risk cheaper American goods flooding the market, undercutting Turkish manufacturers at their most vulnerable?”
“Well, if the question is whether Turkish want affordable goods in a recession, my guess is the answer is yes. And if the concern is about flooding the market, I’d remind you that the agreement has carve-outs for particularly sensitive industries but also to avoid dumping of products below market price and other unfair competitive actions. The idea isn’t to drown Turkish producers. It’s to keep both economies afloat. The opening of trade means investments and economic activity will surge.”
A correspondent from The Post interjected. “But critics say this could hurt us in the long run, that Türkiye is giving away leverage for short-term consumer benefits. I can't imagine we had the best leverage or power in these negotiations. ”
Şebnem leaned forward slightly. “Trade is not a giveaway. It’s an investment in stability. In the long run, you want trading partners who share both your markets and your interests. This trade agreement is an opportunity for us to redefine our own future. It is no easy feat to negotiate a trade agreement. Türkiye is the second nation to sign a trade agreement with the United States and we believe that is a testatemnt to a growing relationship. This agreement builds trust through trade makes us stronger together, not weaker alone.”
Another voice cut in from the back, sharper, more skeptical. “Isn’t this just window dressing? A way for the Prime Minister to show activity during a recession without tackling the deeper problems?”
She tilted her head. “This trade agreement is apart of a broader effort to revitalize the economy. The Ministry of Trade is actively negotiating trade agreements with Spain, Poland, and Eran. All of which will give a much needed bost to our economy. At the same time the Prime Minister is working on a budget that reallocates spending appropriately, and investment strategy that will bring real gains to the Turkish people. This agreement will support jobs, open new markets, and leave consumers better off. Now, if you’d prefer the Prime Minister sat on her hands until the recession politely resolved itself, I’d suggest you take that up with the voters.”
Laughter rippled through the room. Finally a reporter from the Ankara Times raised his voice. “So, how does this deal actually help Turks right now, the ones worried about rent, groceries, and gas?”
Şebnem nodded as her tone softened. “The Prime Minister recognizes that people are hurting. We are all hurting. This Agreement is only a bandage. It helps by making essentials cheaper and markets more predictable. Importantly it helps by showing the world that other countries believe in the strength of our economy, that they’re willing to bet on us even when times are hard. That confidence, that trust, matters. And it’s worth saying again: trade isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s food on the table, jobs in communities, and the knowledge that we don’t have to face economic storms alone.”
She glanced at the clock on the wall, then snapped her folder closed with finality. “That’s all for today. And before you ask, no, I don’t have a comment on the football match later today. Not until I’ve had three cups of coffee and a lie down.” The room erupted in chuckles as she stepped down. The gaggle followed her out of the briefing room as they always did, hungry for scraps the podium never gave.
“Şebnem, Şebnem, one of the correspondents called, leaning forward through the closing doors. “Can you comment on the situation in the Southeast? There are reports of renewed clashes and that a government crackdowns is begining?”
Şebnem didn’t break her stride as the heels clicking steadily toward her office. She turned her head just as she approached the door to the communication office.
“At this time, I don’t have much to add on that,” she said. “We recognize its a difficult situation and we are working with national and provicinal leaders to restore order to the region. The Prime Minister is monitoring it closely. When we have something substantive to share, you’ll hear it from this podium.”
The reporter pressed her: “But does the new trade deal imply the Prime Minister is ignoring...”
Şebnem cut him off gently, her hand turning to unlock the door. “The trade deal speaks for itself. And I’d remind you that the Turkish Government can walk and chew gum at the same time. The economy and social cohesion are both priorities for us. Now, if you’ll excuse me." She said unlocking the door and leaving the reporter in the restricted press pool section alone.
- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
LIVE...
Prime Minister's Residence, Ankara
Good evening, my fellow compatriots.
Prime Minister's Residence, Ankara
As this year draws to a close and a new one dawns, we pause together at a rare and meaningful threshold. The start of 2007 marked the end of three turbulent years for our nation. It closed a chapter defined by uncertainty, division, and the heavy weight of authoritarian rule. Yet it was also only the beginning. For with the turning of that page, we chose a different path. We organized free elections. We restored the people’s voice. We began, together, the long and necessary work of returning Türkiye to democracy.
We began this year burdened by immense challenges. A deep economic depression had shaken families and businesses alike. A public debt crisis threatened our future. Instability in the Southeast strained the bonds of our society. Military rule persisted in parts of our country. Institutions were weakened, trust was eroded, and hope was broken. We faced not one problem, but many at once, economic, political, and social, each demanding resolve, patience, and courage. Our people remained resilient and continues to perseveres despite the burdens and challenges they face.
In the midst of this moment, you placed your trust in me. You asked me to serve as your Prime Minister. I accepted that trust with humility and with a profound sense of duty. It is a responsibility I carry every day, conscious that the authority of this office does not flow from titles of state but from the will of the people.
Through every crisis we have faced this year, my government has tried to keep one principle at the center of our work. That our people must always come first. Not ideology nor the comfort of old habits. Our agenda, our policies, and our politics are guided by the lives of ordinary citizens, by workers and farmers, by students and pensioners, by mothers and fathers trying to build a better future for their themselves and their children.
It is you who guide me, and my advisors, and our ministers, and every public servant who labors in your name. It is ultimately to you that we are accountable. Democracy is not a gift bestowed by leaders, it is a trust granted by citizens. And that trust must be earned anew each day.
Tonight, I am pleased to say that we end the year 2007 with renewed hope. We have delivered real change. We have begun to stabilize our economy. We have restored civilian authority. We have reopened the doors of our republic to participation, debate, and dignity. Yet we must be honest with ourselves, it is not enough.
As we celebrate the New Year, there are still those sleeping on the streets of our cities. There are orphans without warm homes. There are families who choose between heating and food. These are not strangers. They are our brothers and sisters. Their struggles are not distant from us; they define the measure of our success as a nation. Progress that leaves them behind is not progress worthy of the name.
I remain committed to the promise I made to you to bring change and prosperity to Türkiye. We are beginning to see growth. We are beginning to see confidence return. But more than ever, we must continue on the path toward progress, with discipline, with compassion, and with unity.
I close my remarks with the following principle that guides me. Kemalism, to me, has never been about dogma or the blind repetition of what has always been done. It is about reason and purpose. It is about the courage to question, to adapt, and to serve the future rather than the past. It is a guiding light, not a chain. As we enter the new year, I hope it will help guide all of us toward betterness, toward a Türkiye that is freer, fairer, and more just.
Tonight, as fireworks light the sky and families gather around their tables, let us remember those who stand watch while we rest the soldiers guarding our borders; the doctors staying up late in hospital wards; the nurses attending to patients through the night; the police officers, firefighters, teachers, and workers of every kind who keep this nation moving even as the year turns. To all of you, I offer my deepest gratitude.
May the coming year bring health to your homes, peace to your hearts, and strength to our republic. May it be a year in which we continue, together, to build the Türkiye our children deserve.
From my family to yours, I wish you a blessed and hopeful New Year.
İyi yıllar, Türkiye.
- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
LIVE...
Prime Minister's Residence, Ankara
Prime Minister's Residence, Ankara
Good evening, my fellow compatriots.
One year ago, I stood before you with cautious hope. We had emerged from a period of darkness — economic ruin, weakened institutions, and the painful memory of authoritarian rule. We asked ourselves whether we could rebuild. Whether our republic, tested and strained, still had the strength to rise.
Tonight, I can answer that question. It does.
In the year that has passed, Türkiye has become the third largest economy in the world. Growth is rising. Confidence has returned not only among investors and institutions, but among families, workers, and ordinary citizens who had every reason to doubt us. The economic depression that greeted us at the start of this journey is giving way to a new chapter of prosperity. Public confidence in our democracy and our institutions has grown. We have earned that confidence through action, and we must never take it for granted.
These are not small achievements. They are the result of your resilience, your patience, and your willingness to believe in this nation when belief was not easy.
And yet I will not stand before you tonight and pretend that our work is done.
There are still those who sleep without shelter. There are still children who go to bed hungry. There are still families for whom the economic gains of this past year remain out of reach. Progress that does not reach the most vulnerable among us is incomplete progress, and I am not yet satisfied. I will not be satisfied until the prosperity we are building is shared not by some, but by all.
The Southeast remains a source of deep sorrow. Violence continues to flare. Families continue to grieve. The PKK's campaign of terror has taken lives that can never be returned, sons and daughters, soldiers and civilians, Turks whose only crime was living in their own country. I pray, as I always have, for peace and for the day when all citizens of this republic can live without fear.
But prayer alone is not a policy. And so I make you this promise. While I will pursue peace through strength, and reconciliation through justice. I will not be deterred by terror. I will not waver in our resolve. And I will not allow those who seek to divide us to define who we are. We are a nation of many voices. That is our richness, not our weakness.
As we welcome 2009, let us be clear about what we are fighting for, and what we are fighting against. We fight against poverty. We fight against hunger. We fight against despair. And yes, we fight against those who would use violence to break the bonds of this republic. On all these fronts, I offer you not the promise of easy victories, but the promise of steadfast commitment.
Kemalism has always meant to me the courage to face the world as it is, while building the world as it should be. Reason. Adaptability. Service to the future. That spirit will guide us through the year ahead.
To those standing watch tonight, our soldiers on the borders, our doctors in the wards, our nurses and police officers and teachers and workers who keep this nation moving, I offer my deepest gratitude. You are the backbone of this republic.
May the year 2009 bring health to your homes, peace to your hearts, and continued strength to our republic. May we vanquish the common foes of poverty, hunger, and despair. And may we, together, build the Türkiye our children deserve.
İyi yıllar, Türkiye.
- Oct 3, 2018
- 3,878
LIVE...
Address to the Nation by President Abdullah Gül
Address to the Nation by President Abdullah Gül
"My dear fellow citizens,
Tonight, I speak to you in one of the darkest hours our Republic has faced in recent memory.
This week, innocent men, women, and children were murdered in coordinated terrorist attacks in İzmir and Ankara. They were mothers returning home. Students traveling to school. Workers heading to another ordinary day. Citizens who expected nothing more than the simple promise that they would arrive safely where they were going.
Instead, that promise was stolen from them by those who believe fear is stronger than hope and violence stronger than democracy.
To every family grieving tonight, know this, we all grieve with you. Your sorrow is our sorrow. Your loss belongs not only to your loved ones, but to eighty million hearts that mourn alongside you.
May God grant mercy to those who have lost their lives, healing to the wounded, and patience and strength to every family enduring unimaginable pain.
Today, following consultations with Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller and at her formal request, I have signed the necessary decree declaring a nationwide State of Emergency.
Furthermore, a temporary Anti-Terror Security Zone will be re-established in the southeastern provinces where terrorist activity has intensified.
Let me speak plainly. These measures are extraordinary because the circumstances before us are extraordinary.
They are temporary because our Republic remains governed by law, not by fear. They are subject to parliamentary oversight, judicial review, and constitutional safeguards because our democracy is not suspended in moments of crisis; it is tested by them.
Our purpose is not to return Türkiye to the era of perpetual emergency rule. Those years belong to our past, not our future.
I have complete confidence in Prime Minister Çiller, her government, our Parliament, and the brave members of our armed forces, police, and gendarmerie who now carry the heavy responsibility of protecting our people while remaining faithful to the rule of law. Their mission is difficult. But it is a mission worthy of a democratic republic.
To those responsible for these atrocities, to the PKK and every individual who believes terrorism can bend the will of this nation, I say this:
Your campaign of violence must end.
You will not divide this Republic.
You will not intimidate its citizens.
You will not force us to surrender our democracy in pursuit of security, nor our security in pursuit of democracy.
You will fail because the Turkish people have always proven stronger than those who seek to terrorize them.
Tonight, I also wish to speak directly to my Kurdish brothers and sisters.
Your history is inseparable from the history of this land.
For centuries, from the time of the Ottoman Empire until the founding of our modern Republic, Turks and Kurds have lived together, defended one another, mourned together, celebrated together, and built this nation together.
You are not strangers within this Republic.
You are not guests.
You are equal citizens of our common homeland.
We pray to the same God.
We share the same marketplaces, the same schools, the same neighborhoods, the same hopes for our children.
Our sons have stood beside one another in uniform.
Our daughters have studied beside one another in classrooms.
Our futures have always been intertwined.
The terrorists wish to convince us that these bonds no longer exist. That those bonds are kept together by fear and coercion.
They are wrong.
And together, we will prove them wrong.
Let none among us answer hatred with hatred.
Let none confuse an entire people with the crimes of a handful of murderers.
Justice demands that we pursue the guilty with unwavering determination.
Wisdom demands that we never lose sight of our shared humanity.
This Republic belongs equally to every citizen who believes in peace, in democracy, and in our common future.
In times like these, many search for words capable of easing sorrow.
Our faith offers us such words. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
Every innocent life taken today carries the weight of all humanity.
Every life we protect tomorrow honors that sacred command.
And He also reminds us:
These are not merely verses to be recited.
They are principles by which a nation can endure.
They remind us that our strength lies not only in our armies or our institutions, but in the compassion we show one another.
My fellow citizens,
The coming days will not be easy.
There will be fear.
There will be anger.
There will be those who seek to exploit both.
But let us remember who we are.
We are the heirs of a Republic that has overcome war, hardship, and division. We are a people who refuse to surrender our future to those who traffic in death.
If we stand together, Turk and Kurd, Sunni and Alevi, believer and non-believer, young and old, then no bomb can destroy what generations have built together.
Tonight, let us comfort those who mourn. Let us support those who serve. Let us reject the voices of division.
And let us find in one another not suspicion, but our common humanity.
May Allah protect our Republic. May He watch over our security forces. May He comfort the bereaved. And may He bless this Republic with peace, justice, and unity.
Good night, and may God be with you all."
