The Turkish have high hopes for President Obama.

[cooolandrew]

Run time: 02:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1WbtvEOM-M   Posted on YouTube: April 05, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: April 06, 2009 By DU Member: cooolandrew Views on DU: 576

 

[burning rain]

1. The administration's starting out on a good track.

During her March visit to Ankara, I also liked Sec. Clinton's characterization of Turkey as "a democratic country with a secular constitution" as opposed to the Bushy view (as delivered by Colin Powell) of Turkey as a "Muslim democracy." Turks are the masters of their national destiny, but we shouldn't make it our job to encourage a secular state to develop an Islamic identity, and it appears that the Obama administration will draw a line under that policy. I suspect that Turkish secularists are pleased as well; the aforementioned Powell statement certainly rankled them.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

2. Istanbul

is only a 1-hour flight from Frankfort, Germany. It's a fascinating city and I'd love to return. Very cosmopolitan, people sit at outdoor cafes all night, excellent food, very friendly. It bodes well for us that they love Obama.