Turkish Presidential Reception Offers Political Clues

In this photo provided by the Presidential Palace Press Center, Turkish President Abdullah Gul is seen with his wife Hayrunnisa Gul in Istanbul, Turkey, in this April 23, 2006 file photo. Turkey's new president Abdullah Gul, a devout Muslim, held his first palace receptions last week, and observers noted two seemingly trivial details: alcohol was served, and the leader's wife and top military generals didn't show up. Gul attended the receptions without his wife Hayrunisa, who wears a Muslim headscarf that is viewed by secularists as a symbol of religious fervor, even militancy. (AP Photo/Presidential Palace Press Center, HO)

Turkish Reception Offers Political Clues

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Turkey's new president, a devout Muslim, held his first palace receptions last week and observers noted two seemingly trivial details: Alcohol was served, and the leader's wife and top military generals didn't show up.

Scrutiny of VIPs and cocktails at official meet-and-greets might seem an odd way to gauge trends in a predominantly Muslim country of 70 million people that has a maturing democracy, NATO membership, a close alliance with the United States and a troubled campaign to join the European Union.

Turkey, which straddles the European and Asian continents and seeks a unique image as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, is enjoying relative stability after months of political tumult. But the sensitivity to perceived symbolism, evident at the president's parties, signals a lingering disquiet.

For months, the secular elite — Turkey's traditional powerholders — and the rising class of devout Muslims now in charge of the government struggled for control. Many Turks worried about political chaos that could undermine the economy, or even a military coup aimed at preserving secular ideals at the expense of democracy.

But in July, the Islamic-rooted government won a second mandate in general elections. Then in August, the government secured the election of its presidential candidate, Abdullah Gul — months after his first attempt was blocked by an opposition that feared he would back any government attempt to impose Islamic values.

Military leaders snubbed their new president and commander in chief by skipping his swearing-in ceremony in Parliament on Aug. 28, but the military chief, Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, smiled and chatted with Gul and his confidant, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at a ceremony honoring the armed forces two days later. On Monday, Buyukanit visited Gul, the former foreign minister, at his office to congratulate him on his new post.

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