Lesson of humanity at U.N.

I have seen in Somalia last month the failure of the U.N. and the international community in dealing with the urgent needs of the world, Erdogan said. It is impossible for me to describe the poverty and pain I have witnessed in Somalia. It is a shame for the international community to see thousands of children dying because of lack of bread and water in Somalia's tragedy, Erdogan said. The civil war of two decades in Somalia has basically destroyed all sources necessary for life. The people of Somalia are walking towards death in front of the whole global community. Today, the international community watches Somalia as if they were watching a film without reaction. We have to deal with this picture that is a test for whole humanity, Erdogan said. I express openly that no one can talk about peace, justice and civilization in the world unless the voice of Somalia is heard. There are no words that could describe the pain in Somalia, Erdogan said. -Call on Israel- Erdogan said that he wanted to call on Israel to understand there was no substitute for peace. Erdogan said that the picture in the region was not just an equation of 'peace for security'. There is a need to read correctly the new politics and geography flourishing in the Middle East. We have to see that it would not be possible to continue clashes and disputes endlessly in the region, Erdogan said. There are many resolutions that this Assembly has adopted on Israel, resolutions that were not respected by Israel. What is more painful is that the United Nations has been incapable of taking the necessary steps to end the humanitarian tragedy that Palestinians have gone and are going through, Erdogan stressed. Turkey is ready to extend all efforts so that peace prevails in the Middle East. Turkey will display active efforts to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict, for recognition of the Palestinian state, to facilitate compromise among Palestinian groups, and to see an end to the blockade imposed on Gaza, Erdogan said. An Israel that utilizes phosphorus bomb and has an atomic bomb in its arsenal never faces sanctions. However, when they sense similar bombs in the region, they begin efforts to apply sanctions on relevant entities. Could this be justice?, Erdogan said. Erdogan said that Israel did wrong by attacking an aid ship bound for Gaza in May 2010, killing nine Turkish citizens. "Israel did wrong to Turkey, a country that had approached Israel as a friend for long years. And, they insist on doing wrong. Our demands from Israel are clear: an apology for the killing of nine Turks, compensation to the families of those killed and an end to the blockade imposed on Gaza. Our atttitude vis-a-vis Israel will not change unless Israel took these steps. We have no problems with the people of Israel. The problem has to do with the violent policies of the Israeli government," Erdogan underlined. -Cyprus- Erdogan said that it was Turkey's expectation to see that all sides involved make efforts so that the Greek Cypriot administration ends initiatives that cause tension not only in the island but the region. "Otherwise, we will do what we have to do," Erdogan said. Erdogan said that it was an irresponsible act on the part of the Greek Cypriots to determine exclusive zones on their own, to try to begin exploration for oil and natural gas, and make such a timing. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will act with conventional wisdom in response to such unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriots. However, we will protect our rights stemming from international laws, Erdogan stressed. The goal is to conclude negotiations in Cyprus by the end of this year. The goal is to see an united Cyprus in the European Union after a referendum to be held at the beginning of 2012, Erdogan said. As Turkey, we will continue to extend all assistance so that a solution gets reached within the determined calendar. However, if the non-compromising attitude of the Greek Cypriots continued, Turkey, as a guarantor country, will not let the future of the Turkish Cypriots be neglected eternally, Erdogan said. Touching on the issue of Upper Karabakh, Erdogan said that it was unacceptable to see a problem as Upper Karabakh remain unsolved. It is our political and ethical responsibility to find solutions to international problems before they become gangrene, Erdogan said. -Syria and Libya- Erdogan said that every drop of blood hurt the bond between the Syrian leadership and its people. Erdogan said that, as Turkey, "we will continue to encourage governments, including Syria, to take steps to fulfill the democratic demands of their peoples". We have told the Syrian leadership, as their friends, to listen to the democratic demands of the Syrian people and that they can not remain in power by pointing guns on the people themselves. We have told the Syrian leadership that they can not be prosperous through tyranny. However, the Syrian leadership has insisted on not listening to our warnings, Erdogan said. Touching on Libya, Erdogan said he was there last week, visiting various cites and holding rallies in four provinces (Tripoli, Tajura, Misrata and Benghazi). I have witnessed the pride Libyans have on their revolution. The international community must understand that Libya belongs to the Libyans. The richness of Libya belongs to the Libyans. The assets of Libya overseas must be unfrozen so that Libya can stand on its own feet again. The Libyans are strong enough to determine their own future. Their preference must be respected, Erdogan also said.