Today's Zaman, September 09, 2010
Bono, who was in İstanbul as part of his band's "360 degree" world tour, reportedly told the prime minister that İstanbul occurred to him to be an ideal host location. Erdoğan revealed the details of his conversation with Bono while making an appearance on a television program.
"They said they wanted to organize something with the Abrahamic religions -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism. He said that he wanted to do it in Jerusalem, but it might not be safe. I said: ‘What are you waiting for? Do it in İstanbul'," Erdoğan explained. "He said that İstanbul had just occurred to him as well. Another member [of the band] suggested Cordoba."
Infrastructure ready
Erdoğan also said: "We are a country in the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations -- it could be held in Cordoba, but İstanbul would be much more fitting. I told them that İstanbul is a city where the three Abrahamic religions come together and there are all manner of things here related to them -- and the infrastructure is well suited to it. They're going to evaluate İstanbul as a potential site first. Whatever is required of us, we will do it."
Erdoğan shared other details of his conversation with the U2 members, and said the musicians told him that after spending time in İstanbul, they were sorry that the nation was not yet part of the European Union.
State Minister and chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış, meanwhile, asserted that while U2 had never traveled to Turkey before, they did so this time because certain things had changed in the country. He said that the İstanbul concert was of great importance. In response to the reactions towards him by members of the audience at the show, Bağış said: "Hissing youngsters are also our brethren, also our people. We love them, too."
Recalling that it was U2's first trip to Turkey, Bağış said: "Think about it; until yesterday, U2 would come as far as Athens, and from Athens return home. Now, the last stop is İstanbul. Turkey has managed to succeed in such a major event. We're happy for that reason. We must hold similar large events, and events even larger -- our goal is World Cups and Olympiads."
In response to a question over being booed and hissed at during the concert, Bağış added: "Bono performed an act of great courtesy by thanking me in front of tens of thousands of people. It was a great honor for me. Some people may have different sensitivities or prejudices; I invite them to take a stroll down the Bosporus Bridge. I think that'd be the best medicine for their prejudices. We represent not just those who love us, but those who do not love us also."
(c) Today's Zaman, 2010.
"They said they wanted to organize something with the Abrahamic religions -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism. He said that he wanted to do it in Jerusalem, but it might not be safe. I said: ‘What are you waiting for? Do it in İstanbul'," Erdoğan explained. "He said that İstanbul had just occurred to him as well. Another member [of the band] suggested Cordoba."
Infrastructure ready
Erdoğan also said: "We are a country in the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations -- it could be held in Cordoba, but İstanbul would be much more fitting. I told them that İstanbul is a city where the three Abrahamic religions come together and there are all manner of things here related to them -- and the infrastructure is well suited to it. They're going to evaluate İstanbul as a potential site first. Whatever is required of us, we will do it."
Erdoğan shared other details of his conversation with the U2 members, and said the musicians told him that after spending time in İstanbul, they were sorry that the nation was not yet part of the European Union.
State Minister and chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış, meanwhile, asserted that while U2 had never traveled to Turkey before, they did so this time because certain things had changed in the country. He said that the İstanbul concert was of great importance. In response to the reactions towards him by members of the audience at the show, Bağış said: "Hissing youngsters are also our brethren, also our people. We love them, too."
Recalling that it was U2's first trip to Turkey, Bağış said: "Think about it; until yesterday, U2 would come as far as Athens, and from Athens return home. Now, the last stop is İstanbul. Turkey has managed to succeed in such a major event. We're happy for that reason. We must hold similar large events, and events even larger -- our goal is World Cups and Olympiads."
In response to a question over being booed and hissed at during the concert, Bağış added: "Bono performed an act of great courtesy by thanking me in front of tens of thousands of people. It was a great honor for me. Some people may have different sensitivities or prejudices; I invite them to take a stroll down the Bosporus Bridge. I think that'd be the best medicine for their prejudices. We represent not just those who love us, but those who do not love us also."
(c) Today's Zaman, 2010.
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