Turkey primed to greet Obama with pride, hope

[Forkboy]

The stopover is viewed with pride as an affirmation of Turkey's importance as a bridge between East and West, a moderate and strategically positioned NATO ally with the ability to mediate with hard-line Muslim governments. For a partnership bruised by the perceived highhandedness of the Bush administration, particularly during the run-up to the Iraq war, the visit is also seen as a needed balm.

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During the visit, hot-button issues such as Kurdish aspirations, human rights, and Turkey's denial that ethnic Armenians were the victims of genocide early in the last century probably will stay well in the background. But even veiled references to such controversial matters will present plenty of opportunities for outbursts of indignation, especially from right-wing politicians and their supporters.

Human rights groups and other activists, in contrast, fret that diplomacy will prevent the new president from raising issues they believe need public airing but are branded taboo.

"What I want to know is whether Obama thinks of Kurds as terrorists, as we are always being called here," said Serhat Baglas, a trucker from the mainly Kurdish town of Kars. "I want to know whether he sees us as equals, as people."

Draconian security measures, together with a traditional willingness by Turkish police to rough up demonstrators, probably will prevent antigovernment protesters from airing their views anywhere within the president's sight and hearing.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2009/04/05/turkey_primed_to_greet_obama_with_pride_hope/

[Hope And Change]

1. I can understand that Turkey is an important ally to USA but Obama has promised to...

recognize the Armenian Genocide - a promise he must keep and not let Turkey cover the Armenian Genocide under the carpet by threatening USA that relations will be damaged and bla bla... if Obama recognized the Armenian Genocide.

[Clio the Leo]

2. The answers are "no" and "yes" Serhat. NT