November 11, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Abdullah Gul looks beyond the European Union
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 11, Graphic News:  Few leaders have polarised public opinion as much as Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, but the moderate politician with the strong Islamic roots insists that his true role, as that of his country, is to build bridges in a dangerously divided world.

While sceptics may have pounced on his recent remarks that the conflict in Georgia indicated there was a new world order as evidence that the religious minded leader was turning away from the West, Gul insisted yet again that Ankara's main allegiance is to the European Union -- if and when Turkey is finally allowed to join.

Indeed, EU membership has become a mantra for Gul who faced stiff opposition to his presidency from the military and voters who feared he would pursue an Islamic agenda. He says EU membership is his ultimate goal, and he has been praised for democratic reforms aimed at securing this, as well as for his stewardship of the accession talks.

But he has found it hard to convince everyone of his commitment to secularism. Many have been riled by his wife's wearing of the Muslim headscarf. The skilled diplomat has loudly vented his frustration over Cyprus, and attacked U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Born into a working class family in Kayseri in 1950, Gul gained a PhD in Istanbul and also studied in the UK. In 1991 he joined parliament as a member of the Welfare party and returned as an MP for its successor, the Virtue party. After losing a bid to replace Recai Kutan as party leader, he then helped to found the AKP in 2001.

Gul briefly served as prime minister before taking on the foreign portfolio, and was inaugurated president following his party's triumph in July 2007 elections. As a man of contradictions, many Turks believe there is no better leader for their polarised society.
/ENDS