- Title: TURKEY: Istanbul on high security for Obama visit
- Date: 8th April 2009
- Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (APRIL 7, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CONRAD HOTEL WHERE U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS STAYING, SEALED BY POLICE BARRIERS EXTERIOR OF CONRAD HOTEL GUARDS SECURING AREA POLICE AT SECURITY CHECKPOINT LEADING TO HOTEL CAR ARRIVING AT CHECKPOINT GUARDS SEARCHING VEHICLE ANALYST, PROFESSOR MUSTAFA AYDIN WORKING IN HIS OFFICE CLOSE OF AYDIN'S HAND AS HE WRITES (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANALYST, PROFESSOR MUSTAFA AYDIN SAYING: "After six to eight years we had very difficult relations with the United States. Now it is a new period, and this also signifies that. Obama's speech in Turkey in different occasions placed Turkey firmly in Europe. This was something that we were expecting for a number of years. In fact, the United States has been supporting Turkey's EU membership but Obama's messages were quite forceful. Both in Turkey and also in Europe." EARLY MORNING ON BOSPHORUS STRAIT BOATS ON BOSPHORUS/ HAGIA SOPHIA AND BLUE MOSQUE IN BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF MORNING COMMUTERS GETTING OFF BOATS ( THESE SEQUENCES 25 SECONDS) (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) ISTANBUL RESIDENT, NUSRET ETURK, SAYING: "The U.S. is supporting us for EU membership and this is very important. Secondly he offered something better than a strategic partnership, this is positive as well." (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) ISTANBUL RESIDENT, MUSTAFA KARAMIZRAK, SAYING: "I found him favourable because of his comments, like what he said, the message he wrote on the journal at the Ataturk Mausoleum. He is a leader who is trying to fix the relations that have been based on tension in the last six years between Turkey and America. He gave good messages. But I prefer to wait and see." NEWSPAPER KIOSK VARIOUS OF WOMAN BUYING NEWSPAPERS
- Embargoed: 23rd April 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA6T193FJ1JXL7F617UKXO6VRFC
- Story Text: Security is high in Istanbul as U.S. President Barack Obama's winds down his first overseas trip in Turkey.
Security was high in Istanbul on Tuesday (April 7), as the city readied to host the last day of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the country.
Roads surrounding Obama's hotel were sealed off from traffic by metal barriers whilst police searched vehicles and pedestrians trying to access the area.
Turkey is the last leg of Obama's first overseas trip as president where he has sought to rebuild ties with Muslims after anger flared at the last administration following the invasion of Iraq and war in Afghanistan, made more urgent by a resurgent al Qaeda and Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.
On Monday (April 6), Obama started his trip visit in the capital of Ankara where he hammered home his support for the creation of a Palestinian state, despite the recent election of a right-leaning government in Israel, in an effort to show he was serious about reaching out to Muslims.
He also took the opportunity during a speech in the Turkish Parliament to reiterate his backing for Turkey's EU membership bid.
Professor Mustafa Aydin said the U.S. President's visit marked a new beginning between the two countries.
"After six to eight years we had very difficult relations with the United States. Now it is a new period, and this also signifies that. Obama's speech in Turkey in different occasions placed Turkey firmly in Europe. This was something that we were expecting for a number of years. In fact, the United States has been supporting Turkey's EU membership but Obama's messages were quite forceful. Both in Turkey and also in Europe," said Aydin.
Obama's messages also seems to have struck the right note with some Istanbul residents.
"The U.S. is supporting us for EU membership and this is very important. Secondly he offered something better than a strategic partnership, this is positive as well," said Nusret Eturk an Istanbul resident.
Another Istanbul resident, Mustafa Karamizrak, said that although he had liked Obama's message he remained sceptical.
"He is a leader who is trying to fix the relations based on tension of the last six years between Turkey and America. He gave good messages. But I prefer to wait and see," said Karamizrak on his way to work.
Obama's visit is a nod to Turkey's regional reach, economic power, diplomatic contacts and status as a secular democracy seeking European Union membership that has accommodated political Islam.
NATO member Turkey is a transit route for U.S. troops and equipment going to Iraq as well as Afghanistan. As Washington reduces its troops in Iraq, Incirlik air base is expected to play a key role and Obama discussed this with Turkish leaders.
Obama also used the opportunity to urge the foreign ministers of Turkey and Armenia to complete talks aimed at restoring ties between the two neighbours, a U.S. official said.
The U.S.-Turkish relationship suffered in 2003 when Ankara opposed the invasion of Iraq and refused to let U.S. troops deploy on its territory.
Turkey has also criticised Washington for allowing Kurdish separatists to be based in northern Iraq.
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