tagged w/ Energy deal
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For controversial Turkish President Abdullah Gül, the recent war in Georgia signals a "new world order" that will emerge from the rubble of South Ossetia and force the United States to share its power, The Guardian reported.
Gül said America's inability to prevent Russia's invasion shows that the US can no longer shape world politics as it once did.
"I don't think you can control all the world from one centre," Gül said. "There are big nations. There are huge populations. There is unbelievable economic development in some parts of the world. So what we have to do is, instead of unilateral actions, act all together, make common decisions and have consultations with the world. A new world order, if I can say it, should emerge."
The geopolitical turmoil in the Caucusus -- a region between Europe and Asia that includes the nations of Georgia and Turkey -- has placed Turkey in a difficult position between pleasing its neighbor Russia and not hurting its relationship with the US.
The conflict in Georgia proved Turkey's tenuous position regarding energy when Russian tanks cut the flow of oil to Turkey from a pipeline running through Georgia, Reuters reported.
Turkey's energy problems have forced it to seek gas from Russia and Iran, prompting an outcry from Washington.
Gül spoke to The Guardian shortly before a meeting with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The US warned Turkey on Thursday against striking an energy deal with Iran after learning of the two presidents' meeting, Financial Times reported.
US officials claim the deal will undermine international efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program.
"Such a deal by Turkey with Iran would send the wrong message at a time when the Iranian regime has repeatedly failed to comply with its UN Security Council and IAEA obligations," the US state department said.
Gül said he doesn't want Iran to have nuclear weapons, but he "doesn't want to think about" the United States attack on Iran.
"I don't want to think about that. Everybody should take a lesson from what happened in Iraq," he said. "Diplomatic solutions are always better than hard solutions."
For controversial Turkish President Abdullah Gül, the recent war in Georgia... more
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