US President Obama Arrived to Turkey - First Muslim Nation Visit

by Pythiian1 | April 5, 2009 at 01:55 pm

1123 views | 119 Recommendations | 15 comments

Air Force One touched down at Ankara's Esenboga airport on Apr.5, as Mr. Obama marked his first trip to a majority Muslim nation since becoming the United States President in January.

Mr. Obama's visit, on the last leg of an eight-day trip that marks his debut as president on the world stage, is a recognition of the secular but predominantly Muslim country's growing clout and Washington's desire for its help to solve confrontations and conflicts from Iran to Afghanistan.

During NATO Summit, President Obama had successfully garnered Turkey's support to vote for Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to lead NATO.

President Barack Obama waded into a diplomatic stalemate for the second time on his European trip and once again succeeded in bringing his more senior peers into harmony.

With a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit facing potential deadlock yesterday over Turkey’s opposition to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the next head of NATO, Obama brought Rasmussen and Turkish President Abdullah Gul together for a talk.

President Obama will meet with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday before addressing the Turkish parliament. It will be the first time that an American President speaks before the Turkish parliament.

It is unclear if Mr. Obama will wade into potentially political minefields, namely the Armenian tragedy and Kurdish issues with the leaders or in his speech. This visit will be an intriguing test on the nuanced foreign policy that Mr. Obama has spoken often before and since he became President. When President Obama delivers his speech, which will be heard not only in Turkey, but presumably by neighboring nations.

On the one hand, Turkey is strategically important for its border with Iran, Iraq, and Syria while being a staunch NATO ally since 1952.

On the other, Turkey has been pursuing a strong anti-Western policy and anti-Americanism under the current leadership. It should not come as a surprise that President Obama's visit will encounter protests specifically against the US President.

The White House has indicated the president will use the speech to discuss the progress of Turkey's democratic reforms and to reaffirm U.S. support for Turkey's bid to join the EU.

In Ankara, Obama will also meet with the leaders of Turkey's main opposition parties.

And, in an unprecedented move, he will also meet with the leader of Turkey's Kurdish party.

The President will travel to Istanbul on Apr. 6, where he will be attending a major international conference to promote East-West dialogue, followed by a reception of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations that is co-hosted by Turkey and Spain.

President Obama will also meet with university students in an Islamic museum before returning to the United States. The meeting will be in another town hall format for live and online audience.

The last town hall style meeting in Istanbul appears to be the most fascinating to hear from Turkish and presumably, Kurdish students who will be asking Mr. Obama their questions.

Related Articles on President Obama's European Visits by this Writer:

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recommend This comment thread is now closed

sara star

at 16:33 on April 5th, 2009

It will be interesting to see what he says and what the reaction will be.

Pythiian1

at 18:05 on April 5th, 2009

Thank you, Sara, for your read, comment, and recommendation.

Interesting snarky titled video clip!

Personally, I look forward to hear his Parliamentary speech and the town hall with the University students in Istanbul.

albertacowpoke

at 17:23 on April 5th, 2009

That will be the news to watch for. Turkey has become pretty secular, so we'll see.

Barry Artiste

at 17:25 on April 5th, 2009

I wonder whats on the menu? Ah thats too easy, perhaps a Danish and a Turkey with all the fixins. MMMM Turkey!! Droooooooool!

Pythiian1

at 17:49 on April 5th, 2009

Thank you, Barry Artiste, for your recommendation...

albertacowpoke

at 17:57 on April 5th, 2009

I really wonder if anything has been gained. These summits always come out with a statement of solidarity and promises. They are seldom followed up. Stress comes with the job, especially when you get introduced to the big players in the world. So far I.ve heard of a commitment by the G20 for 1 Trillion Dollars to help out third world countries. There has been an agreement to move to a global regulatory system. Even if they were sincere, this system will take a long time to set up, just to reach a concensus. As the old saying goes Talk is cheap, whiskey costs money.

The first test for him will be the reaction of China and Russia to the Korean missilie launch. So as far as I'm concerned only time will tell.

Pythiian1

at 18:16 on April 5th, 2009

All these agreements and cooperative measures take time, just like every policy that is enacted in the US and I'm sure, in Canada. If you review the foreign policies of the US, none has ever accomplished overnight.

While it is understandable that some Americans are impatient for instant results, given that there are those critics who would howl every five seconds, or launch into the usual complaints without really thinking through that regulatory systems require time.

As I mentioned in previous posts and responses that the IMF is committed to lend the funds to developing economies and will not give away money as in the past.

albertacowpoke

at 18:25 on April 5th, 2009

I totally agree Pythiian, no one should be under the elusion that things will change overnight. We can only hope that in this case a sense of urgency prevails. I am glad that in Canada we do regulate our banking system and it did not have the financial crisis that most Western countries experienced. Our banks are still profitable and are extending credit.

Fred Miller

at 22:12 on April 5th, 2009

Perfect statement for a Fast Food Nation.....

' While it is understandable that some Americans are impatient for instant results '

....slow-cooked might be on the menu ahead

Pythiian1

at 14:00 on April 6th, 2009

Thank you, Fred, for your read and recommendation. I appreciate your interest and comment that contributes to the discussion.

Karen Hatter

at 18:27 on April 5th, 2009

I must say I'm puzzled by the naysayers, posturing and nit picking about all manner of little things when it would seem, by most accounts, over all, President Obama and the First Lady have been well received, with the President presenting himself as a measured, thoughtful person, qualities it would seem would be a plus as a world leader.

Pythiian1

at 19:12 on April 5th, 2009

Thank you so much, Karen, for your observation and recommendation.

President and Mrs Obama have been well received by accounts from people and the international press, especially, the usually critical British press.

There will always be those who are armchair-critics howling around, but as in my previous article about President Obama's visit to Prague, one only has to see the number of photos that were loaded up by Czech and others who attended President Obama's speech in Prague. The people appeared to be quite thrilled in the photos, and they're not from the press.

Pythiian1

at 20:00 on April 5th, 2009

Thank you so much, Cypresso, for your read and recommendation. I appreciate your comment about my work.

Blue Crush

at 20:13 on April 5th, 2009

Nice piece!

Pythiian1

at 05:02 on April 6th, 2009

Thank you so much, Blue Crush, for your read and recommendation. I appreciate your kind words.

Ravinwood_777

at 07:08 on April 6th, 2009

BIG DEAL!!!

Amy Judd

at 22:25 on April 6th, 2009

I think Obama is doing really well on his trip; for nothing else than for showing that he is listening to other nations and trying to build a strong relationship with them.

Pythiian1

at 09:37 on April 7th, 2009

Thank you so much Amy for your observation, comment, and recommendation.

In foreign affairs, the most important ingredient is having the ability to listen, especially in the relationship between superpowers and developing or emerging countries.