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Era of unipolar world is over, says Turkey

DUBAI: Turkey has said the conflict in Georgia has shown that the era of a unipolar world is over.

In an interview with The Guardian, Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul said events in Georgia showed that the U.S. could no longer shape global politics on its own. “I don’t think you can control the entire world from one centre,” said Mr. Gul. “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.”

Mr. Gul also hinted the U.S. and Israeli approach of isolating and punishing Iran through sanctions could prove counterproductive. “There are so many important issues, like the nuclear issue, Iraq, the Caucasus and Afghanistan,” he said.

“Iran is definitely having some influence on these issues, so we are talking,” he added. Mr. Gul said Iran had the right to nuclear energy but not atomic weapons.

He advocated finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme, instead of war.

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