Obama arrived in Turkey earlier today. Turks prepare for OBAMANIA!
U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Turkey earlier today to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He will go to Istanbul Monday evening for the so-called Alliance of Civilizations summit which starts in Istanbul today. Obama begun his official visit to Turkey by visiting Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic.
“I am honored to pay tribute to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a man whose vision, tenacity, and courage put the Republic of Turkey on the path of democracy and whose legacy continues to inspire generations around the world.
“As the 44th President of the United States of America, I look forward to strengthening relations between the U.S. and Turkey and supporting Ataturk’s vision of Turkey as a modern and prosperous democracy giving hope to its people and providing ‘peace at home, peace in the world’,” Obama wrote in the commemorative guest book.
Interesting to see that Obama did not mention “secular.”
Writing for the Agonist, Sean Paul Kelly – who is in Instanbul right now – reports that some Turks are protesting Obama’s arrival. As it is, however, Obama can count on quite some support in Turkey. Turks sympathized with him for being part of a long oppressed minority, and they greatly welcomed his early opposition to the war in Iraq (which they also opposed). Police expect major traffic jams – that’s nothing new by the way, especially Istanbul is one big traffic jam – wherever Obama goes.
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