Erkan's field diary

Papal visit (6)- The visit actually starts...

Pope Benedict XVI has called for an "authentic dialogue" between Christians and Muslims in a speech at Turkey's directorate of religious affairs.

Pope Benedict XVI, with a portrait of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk in the background, shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006. Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Turkey on his first visit to a Muslim country, where he will seek to ease anger over his perceived criticism of Islam and mend a split with the world's Orthodox Christians. (AP Photo/Kayhan Ozer, Pool)

PELIN TURGUT in TIME asks explains Why Turks Are Not Pleased to See the Pope

Connected to the Papal Visit, TIME also asks How Western Is Turkey?

The Pope takes his chances in Turkey; Elise Massicard, sociologist at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, explains why the Turkish people won’t be receiving the Pope with open arms on November 28 .............

Among the blogs I follow, Talkturkey asks and explains why Pope comes to Turkey; Öğretmen also comments on the visit; Istanbul Tory connects several developments related to Turkey in A coup, a papal visit and a farewell to the EU?. Yeah I missed to link where all already linked to: A Newsweek author claims: "As I rate it, the chances of a military coup in Turkey occurring in 2007 are roughly 50-50." I couldn't give much thought about it and could not take it that seriously but just for the record, it is noted here:) Selene Verri hopes for A chance for the Pope and Islam to get friendlier. Here comes Galip İsen's comment:

mamma mia! swe were hating the pope only yesterday. we held crowded meetings to protest his visit. we were cold shouldering him for saying that turkey did not constitute a part of europe or for quoting a millenium old statement by a loooooong dead emperor about mohammad who was and felt threatened by his armies................

Gülnaz provides an excellent info:
On Nov 28, by 19:00 here are the number of Pope related news pieces sent to newsrooms in a TV news channel by the major agencies:
Anadolu Ajansı: 33
Cihan Haber Ajansı: 72
Doğan Haber Ajansı: 44
Reuters: 48
AP: 40
APTN: 44

While the papal buzz continues, Finns strive for EU-Turkey deal...

Posted by erkan at November 29, 2006 12:15 AM | TrackBack
Posted to Pope/Pope's Speech