Kumpulan Naskah Pidato - Speech Collection

Monday, March 27, 2006 

The hon David Hawker MP, speaker of the House of Representatives; the hon Paul Calvert, president of the Senate; the hon John Howard MP, prime minister; The hon Kim Beazley MP, leader of the opposition; distinguished members and senators of the parliament of Australia.

Mr speaker, I am grateful to you and to the parliament of Australia for giving me the opportunity to address the members and senators who are gathered here in this superb chamber.

It is good to see my old friend Kim, at whose feet I used to sit, back leading the Labor party; and it is a privilege to be in the company of prime minister John Howard, whose steadfast leadership and firmness as an ally and friend has often given me cause to be deeply grateful. Australia may not be in my blood; but it surely is in my spirit.

My earliest memories are Australian. From the age of two till five, I lived in Adelaide. I remember returning from the hospital where my sister Sarah had just been born, looking at her in the back of the old Austin we drove; running errands for our neighbour, Mr Trederay; taking showers under the garden hose in the heat on the lawn; visiting friends up country in the Adelaide hills; and being chased by magpies as I ran across the open ground near our home, early training for later skirmishes with the media.

At Uni, I was reintroduced to religion by an Australian, Peter Thomson; and introduced to politics by another, Geoff Gallop, both dear friends to this day. I’ve been back many times. I love the people; love the place; always have and always will. Australia is just a very special place to be.

We all are familiar with our shared history; and our shared sporting passion and rivalry. The English victory in the Ashes was like a carnival of celebration, perhaps as much for its rarity value.

At the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, you once again showed the world, the exuberance and sheer style that is modern Australia. You also won rather more than the rest of us.

I wrote a speech once about how Britain had to become a "young country" again and it was Australia I had in mind. Today I like to think we share a lot more than history and endeavour on the playing fields. We share an outlook to life.

We are both confident, outward bound, and "up for it" type of nations. This is a world in the course of choosing. Underneath its daily tumult - the stories of strife and sensation that blast their way into our consciousness - we are in struggle of a more profound kind.

Globalisation is a fact. But the values that govern it are a choice. We know the values we believe in: democracy and the rule of law; also justice, the simple conviction that, given a fair go, human beings can better themselves and the world around them.

TRANSCRIPT OPENING REMARKS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
AT THE 1ST CONFERENCE OF INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR ISLAMIST PARLIAMENTARIAN
HOTEL MILLENIUM, 19 JANUARY 2007

Bismilahirrahmanirrahiim
Assalammualaikum warrahmatulahi wabarrakatuh

The honorable chairman of the People Consultative Assembly, Bapak Hidayat Nur Wahid,
The honorable speaker of the House of People of Representative, Bapak Agung Laksono,
Mr. Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, Secretary General of the IFIP,
Dr. Abdul Majid Minarsa, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the IFIP,
Excellencies, Ministers, Ambassadors, Speakers,
Distinguished Guest, Brothers and Sisters,

Let us begin with praising Allah SWT, for it is under His blessings and grace that we are able to gather here this morning at the First Conference of International Forum for Islamist Parliamentarian. I commend the organizers, for their foresight in initiating this important conference.

Indonesia is indeed delighted and proud, to host the First Conference of IFIP. To all our friends from 28 countries around the world who have just arrived, I bid you a very warm welcome to Jakarta. I do hope, you will enjoy our brotherly at hospitality.

This conference is unique and strategic because the participants are parliamentarians, politicians, and policy makers, who have the access to policy formulation, and possess all the power, quality and capacity needed, to change the fate of the Muslim world.

In the next few days, you will discuss important topics such as human rights, interfaith dialogue, economic empowerment, political reform, democracy, and so forth. These themes reflect the fact that you are very much eager to address the real issues of our world, which is precisely what the <i>Ummah</i> needs to do.

Indeed, the most important thing that the <i>Ummah</i> can do is to engage, to expand networks, to cooperate, to promote mutual enlightement, and to share knowledge and experiences with one another. In my view, the Ummah has not done this very intensively, and perhaps this is the reason why the Ummah has not developed its true potentials.

Remember: 14 centuries of Islamic history have taught us that Islam is at its best when the <i>Ummah</i> was able to confront the issues of their time intelligently and think ahead of their time.

As we all know, Islam spread so rapidly from Mecca and Madina in the 7th century to the rest of Arabia and into Europe. By the 13th century, Islam became the world’s greatest civilization, with Baghdad as its center, much more advanced than Europe which was still in the dark age.

The <i>Ummah</i> is in that period was deeply spiritual but what made them special was that they were knowledge-driven.

They developed paper mill, and printed almost a million books. They successfully built a strong culture of excellence. They opened the first university. They developed a vast scientific literature, and developed a body of knowledge in philosophy, arts, architecture, mathematics, chemistry, geography, medicine, optics, astronomy, agriculture, navigation, and others.
They even found and translated the great works of great Greek thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle, which later became the basis of Rennaisance in the Western World when European people rediscovered this from the Muslims.

(more…)

AGUNG LAKSONO 

Nusa Dua Bali, 29 April 2007

It is a great delight for me to be here and extend a warm gratefulness to all members of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, or well-known as AIPMC, for giving me this remarkable opportunity.

          May I also convey my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to AIPMC and National Coalition Government of Union of Burma for jointly organizing this today’s seminar in the sidelines of the 116th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Nusa Dua. It is my belief that this seminar has at least two major purposes which firstly enable policy makers and communities in the world to discuss and seek for possible solutions in order to establish and promote the process of democratization in Myanmar, and secondly, since it is conducted in the sidelines of IPU Assembly which also essentially support the democratization and human rights protections, this may strengthen our common concern and commitment to the peaceful democratization process in the world and on the land of Myanmar in particular.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

(more…)

Council On Foreign Relations New York, 9 February 2007

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my distinct pleasure to address this distinguished audience on probably the most important foreign topic anywhere in the world today. I thank the Council for giving me this opportunity.

Iraq, is not only our neighbor but also a country with which the Turks have very important historical ties. We always kept these very close links going back hundreds of years. Consequently, we have been pursuing a very active policy with regard to the developments in Iraq.

Even under today’s much strained conditions, development of economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Iraq is a priority for us. The trade volume, also taking into account the unregistered economic activity alongside the border, exceeds 10 billion Dollars.

Hundreds of Turkish contracting companies operate in Iraq. Turkish engineers, workers, technicians labor to complete the infra-structure.

Turkey is the main artery into Iraq. Every good and product, essential to the well-being of the Iraqis, and the conduct of a decent daily life, passes through Turkey. Let me give a more specific example: Each year, more than one million lorries pass into Iraq from Turkey. That makes almost four thousand lorries each day. That will give you an idea about the volumes in question!

Likewise, Turkey is the most reliable supply line for the Multinational Force.

The rotation of the United States forces are realized through the Incirlik Airbase in south-eastern Turkey. The petroleum products needed by the American forces are also supplied from Turkey.

(more…)

National Press Club Washington D.C., 6 February 2007

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I take great pleasure in addressing such a distinguished audience today here at the National Press Club.

The NPC has been an invaluable platform for many international speakers to give their messages to the American public.

I am glad my name is added to that long list of speakers and I thank the NPC for hosting this event.

* * *

Turkey and the United States share a long history of friendship and even longer history of mutual interests.

Nobody much knows about the fact that the first ever international agreement concluded by the United States is the one signed with the Ottomans in 1795. The original document is in our archives. The Ottomans were also among the few countries that contributed to the building of the Obelisk in Washington D.C.

For many decades and against the most formidable challenges of any day, Turkey and the United States have remained vital to each other.

From the Korean War through the long decades of the Cold War, and right up to the fight against terrorism, we have worked and stood together. And, we still do.

This is why, successive generations of statesmen have shown care to protect this relationship. * *

In today’s world, facing many modern challenges, our relationship is becoming ever more important!

Our relationship has two main dimensions. One is global strategic. The other one is politico-cultural.

(more…)

King Abdulaziz University - Jeddah, 12 February 2006

Distinguished guests,
Dear students,

I am much pleased to be here today, and I thank King Abdulaziz University for inviting me to address you. At one time, I was a university professor myself, and seeing so many students now, reminds me the warmth I used to feel in my classrooms.

You might also know that I have lived in this city for many years… Ever since, Jeddah has been close to my heart. And, as I say this university is known to rank among the best in this whole region, I know what I am talking about!

Your work here reflects the priority the Saudi leadership attaches to education. In Turkey also, education is one of the highest priorities.

There is no other investment that can substitute the investment made on any country’s human resources.

Improving the prospects for the younger people is, in fact, improving the future prospects of the country.

In the global sense also, there is no doubt that education is our main tool for a better world. Yet, this world can only emerge if the men and the women with education also start representing tolerance, and mutual respect in their evolving societies.

It is unfortunate that at a time when we see explosion of information and technological progress, we also observe a growing gap of mutual understanding between different cultures and civilizations. To put it shortly;

-We do not appreciate each other enough…
-We do not see enough how interconnected we have become over the course of a few years…
-We do not pay enough heed to our collective wisdom…

It is sad that despite increased communications and contacts between people of different races, creeds, cultures and traditions, our stereotypes persist!

Yet, there is no way for us, but to learn to live in harmony. In order to do this we need to better understand our values, and apply them to our lives… Values such as respect; tolerance; knowing one’s limits; humility; hard work rewarded by spiritual richness as much by material riches… Such values in fact represent the common grounds on which we can all stand up…

Let me remind you that I am not talking at all about some foreign values… I am not introducing new concepts here… These values belong to us… They are not alien to the Muslims. After all, Islam means peace, and peace is only achieved by the constant and sincere application of the values I have just referred to.

However, there is enough reason for us to worry that the “gap of mutual understanding” in this world widens.

It is high time we must all start to move towards closing this gap in earnest. Any worthy human achievement, building bridges of mutual respect and trust, for instance, requires years… But, as you sense what I am about to say, breaking it takes only minutes… Therefore, in this increasingly global world, no one has a right to act as if his actions do not have any consequences for others.

My dear friends,

There is much to say about the cluster of prejudices against Islam. Lots of misconceptions abound. But, in order to oppose and work against the prejudices of others, we must also be prepared to work on ourselves:

We need to better understand the modern world…

We need to see what’s going on…

We need to understand the trends of today…

There is a spiritual heritage of peace and tolerance. This heritage also includes our unique contributions to arts and sciences…

We must not forget that the world we live today is also of our making…

May be more importantly, we know in our hearts that material riches is not enough to lead happy and fulfilled lives… We know the power of the spiritual quest… The mind, without the support of the heart, turns into a spider’s web…

Yes… A glorious past should be the cradle of a glorious future…

Can we, as the Muslim world taken altogether, say in all sincerity that we are creating a future expected from us?

Are we in tune with the major developments that engulf the other regions of the earth?

Do we feel confident enough that we will attain new successes?

These are difficult but important questions…

They are meant to encourage us, not the opposite!

When we try to answer them, we will see that we have the experience, the capacity and the means to achieve new heights…

We can change the course of the ongoing debate about the future role of different civilizations… We have a wealth of intellectual power that awaits our attention… This is why, I do not doubt a minute that we can degrade the present negative tone of this debate, and enhance it to become a common quest for a better future…

A future that will be shared by all the revered traditions of this world… A world which rejects arrogance, and puts in its stead appreciation… This world can emerge through the common efforts of people which listen to the voice of reason.

If modernity is built upon rule of law; human rights; transparency; accountability, let me say just this:

Again, these also are our values!

Indeed, look at their history, and find them here, among us!

Distinguished guests,
Dear students,

We have not been successful enough in observing and managing change… Yet, it were the Islamic scholars who warned us that change is fundamental to this earth, and we must be prepared to respond to it…

We must take their heed now. We all have aspirations for the future. We should not let them go away from our sights…

Let us see that there can be no change imposed from the outside. It must be our own work…

Whatever the appearance of things, the flow of history seems to create new responsibilities for the Muslim world. We are indispensable to world peace. We have to do our share in creating a world that we can all walk together…

We can only do this by solidarity, and by embracing the values that belong to us in the first place…

We will eventually find our partners among other civilizations and great traditions of the world. Together, we will ensure that mankind will not fail in tolerating differences… We will ensure that mutual respect is shown for all values held dear by mankind…

The recent developments that came to fore in the context of the so-called “caricature crisis” have been telling: Respect for cultural and religious values on the one hand, and freedom of expression on the other, cannot be shown as conflicting values.

In fact, they complement each other!

Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights explicitly states that identities and religious values cannot be degraded, let alone attacked!

There is no right on earth that is boundless…

Distinguished guests,

Let me also say a few words about what is taking place in Turkey:

A multi-dimensional transformation is set in motion in my country.

In politics and society, in economics and foreign relations, long-term and lasting change has already been achieved. We have been deepening Turkish democracy, making it more transparent and accountable. This process has been supported by a number of radical social and economic reforms.

In the economic sphere, we have been re-structuring Turkish economy. Today, Turkey is the seventeenth largest economy in the world with a GNP exceeding 350 billion Dollars. Our trade volume has surpassed 190 billion Dollars, and we have received 22 million tourists in 2005. In the same year, the volume of direct foreign investments to Turkey has been several times larger than the total of foreign investments received during the last decades. As a matter of fact, Turkey has grown by no less than 30% during the past four years.

These are all important indications about the future direction of Turkish politics and economy.

No doubt, predictability of the Turkish politics, along with our self-confidence has increased.

In foreign relations, our determined approach to solve all of the existing problems has started to bear its fruits. With all of our neighbours, our trade has been increasing remarkably and our relations are becoming more diversified.

Indeed, lots of positive change has been taking place. Yet, among these developments, may be the most important is the opening of our accession negotiations with the European Union on 3rd October 2005.

This is a historic development. A country with a population of 70 million, 90% of which are Muslim is becoming a member of the European Union. By this decision, the European Union has also acted with vision and showed that it is not willing to become a Christian club.

Turkey’s foundations are in Europe and we have always been part of Europe. But, Turkey is more than Europe! We are part of the Muslim world and we also belong to the revered traditions of the East. This unique position is our most important asset, because it allows us to serve both worlds. Let no one doubt that we will fulfil this historic role and advance our common aspirations.

Thank you.

Source: Abdullah Gul Official Website 

(1 May 2005, Istanbul)

Distinguished Guests,

I find it very meaningful that we meet today in this conference organized by the Foundation for Volunteer Organizations in Turkey (TGTV). I often ask myself why, while many civil society organizations are actively involved in so many meetings around the world on so many issues, similar organizations from the Islamic world do not take part in these platforms. Therefore, this conference is very important as it mobilizes civil power in the Islamic world.

I am very pleased to see that civil society organizations from the Islamic world meet here in Istanbul - a city which has for centuries been a venue of interaction and sharing among cultures and civilizations - and that I am able to address you on this meaningful occasion.

I also congratulate the TGTV for spearheading the idea of establishing a network of dialogue and communication among civil society organizations in the Islamic World.

As Turkey, we have expressed on many occasions the need to benefit from the contributions of civil society organizations in overcoming the problems infecting the countries in the Islamic world.

Indeed, the most valuable asset we have today in resolving the problems created by the phenomenon called globalization, and in benefiting from the opportunities it presents, is our human resources. Therefore, states must establish and further strengthen free, open and participatory structures in order to make the most out of this human potential. In this regard, civil society organizations are of great assistance to us.

The Islamic world has the capacity to catch up with our times on the basis of its rich culture and the universal values which Islam has also contributed to. We now need to mobilize this potential at the level of both Governments and societies.

(more…)

September 20, 2001.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Americans, in the normal course of events, presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the union. Tonight, no such report is needed; it has already been delivered by the American people.

We have seen it in the courage of passengers who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground. Passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me welcome his wife Lisa Beamer here tonight?

(APPLAUSE)

We have seen the state of our union in the endurance of rescuers working past exhaustion.

We’ve seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own.

My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of union, and it is strong.

(APPLAUSE)

Tonight, we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.

(APPLAUSE)

I thank the Congress for its leadership at such an important time.
(more…)

Monday, Mar 01, 2004

By: Hugo Chavez

HIS EXCELLENCY NÉSTOR KIRCHNER, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA.
HIS EXCELLENCY LUIS INACIO LULA DA SILVA, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL
HIS EXCELLENCY SEYED MOHAMMED KHATAMI, PRESIDENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.
HIS EXCELLENCY PÉRCIVAL JAMES PATTERSON, PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA.
HIS EXCELLENCY RÓBERT GABRIEL MUGÁBE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE.
HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL_NASSER, PRESIDENT OF THE GROUP OF 77.

DISTINGUISHED HEADS OF THE DELEGATIONS AND HIGH OFFICERS OF ALGERIA, COLOMBIA, CHILE, EGYPT, INDIA, INDONESIA, KENYA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NIGERIA, PERU, SENEGAL AND SRI LANKA.

THEIR EXCELLENCIES, FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTERS OF THE GROUP OF 15.
HIS EXCELLENCY RÚBENS RICÚPERO, SECRETARY GENERAL TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD).
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE HEADS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES CREDITED BEFORE THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT.
DISTINGUISHED JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN.
FELLOW VENEZUELANS…. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

Welcome to this land washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, crossed by the magnificent Orinoco River. A land crowned by the perpetual snow of the Andean mountains….!

A land overwhelmed by the never-ending magic of the Amazon forest and its millenary chants…!

Welcome to Venezuela, the land where a patriotic people has taken over again the banners of Simon Bolivar, its Libertador, whose name is well known beyond these frontiers!

As Pablo Neruda said in his “Chant to Bolivar”:

Our Father thou art in Heaven,
in water, in air
in all our silent and broad latitude
everything bears your name, Father in our dwelling:
your name raises sweetness in sugar cane
Bolivar tin has a Bolivar gleam
the Bolívar bird flies over the Bolivar volcano
the potato, the saltpeter, the special shadows,
the brooks, the phosphorous stone veins
everything comes from your extinguished life
your legacy was rivers, plains, bell towers
your legacy is our daily bread, oh Father.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen: Bolivar, another “Quixote but not mad” (as Napoleon Bonaparte had already called Francisco de Miranda, the universal man from Caracas), who on this very same land of South America tried to unite the Rising Republics in a single, strong and free Republic.

In his letter to Jamaica in 1815, Bolivar said talking about the Panama isthmus and his idea of convening there a Amphictyonic Congress:

“I wish one day we would have the opportunity to install there an august congress with the representatives of the Republics, Kingdoms and Empires to debate and discuss the highest interests of Peace and War with the countries of the other three parts of the world.”

(more…)

(Istanbul, 14 June 2004)

Dear Colleagues,
Mr. Secretary General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to thank you for electing me to the Chair. I shall draw strength from your support. I pay tribute to my dear friend and colleague Minister Kharrazi for his wise and skillful chairmanship of his term. I also thank Secretary-General Dr. Belkeziz for the excellent work he has accomplished and also the entire OIC Secretariat under his able guidance.

I warmly welcome you in Istanbul for the Thirty-First Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, the session on “Progress and Global Harmony”. You are indeed very much at home in Istanbul. This city is a living monument of our common Islamic heritage. Throughout centuries, Istanbul has also become a symbol of cultural and religious harmony.

Dear Colleagues,

We meet again at a very crucial time. The Arab-Israeli conflict with the question of Palestine at its core is bleeding hopes away. Iraq has yet to show a genuine sign towards stability. Africa’s problems remain to be solved. Terrorism is expanding its scope and intensifying in ferocity. Sense of security is fast diminishing. The continuing political, social and economic deprivation is bringing greater instability. Those preaching clash of civilizations are winning more attentive ears. Prejudices, fanaticism and discrimination are everywhere. And, insecurity is now threatening a global economic downturn.

On the other hand, enhancing solidarity among peoples through international organizations and civil societies as well as benefiting from technological and scientific advances offer new opportunities.

We, as the Islamic countries, are effected by all these issues directly. Therefore, we need to rise to the challenge. This is not a matter of choice; it is a mission dictated by our common heritage and our deep sense of history.

(more…)