OBAMA’S GRAND ENTRANCE IS CELEBRATED IN ISTANBUL

Hurriyet
Jan 22 2009
Turkey

ISTANBUL – While many Turkish people in Istanbul expressed a "wait
and see" approach to America’s new president, some 200 Americans,
Turks and people from around the world cheered and hugged, cried and
danced in an Istanbul nightclub that broadcast live Barack Obama’s
inauguration Tuesday night.

Co-hosted by the club Ghetto and the local chapter of the American
group Democrats Abroad, a number of celebrants became emotional during
Obama’s inaugural address. The first black president as well as a
descendent of slave-owners, Obama said it might seem unlikely that "a
man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a
local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

Ebony Kelly, an educator in an Istanbul school and Democrats Abroad
organizer, took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes with her hand
to hold back tears. "That just set me off," she said. The Maryland
native, whose grandmother was once removed from slavery, said she
thought about all the people who had come before her to make a day
like Tuesday possible. "It makes me want to be a better person."

Roadblocks to peace Perhaps part of the underwhelming Turkish response
to the ritual change in American presidents is the grief and outrage
Turkish people have expressed in recent weeks regarding the Israeli
war on the people of Gaza. Around the corner from the celebration,
a large demonstration in support of Gaza had stopped traffic in the
center of the city.

Tushar Vig, a student from the University of San Francisco and in
Turkey on a study tour, said Obama’s speech was inspiring but out of
place in heralding America as a beacon of peace. "It was hypocritical
to talk about peace when the U.S. supported Israel in Gaza," Vig told
the Turkish Daily News & Economic Review. Several Americans echoed
this sentiment.

Aiming to join the American diplomatic corps in Turkey for the
U.S. State Department, Seattle native Alison Brown came to Istanbul
a few months ago to learn Turkish. A campaigner for Hillary Clinton’s
presidential bid, she said Obama’s selection of Clinton for secretary
of state showed competence and grace. "Not only is she strong on
foreign policy, she is a well-known figure around the world who was
essentially a top diplomat as first lady."

Consul General Sharon Wiener invited some Americans and local
Turkish figures "to watch the making of history together" at her
residence. Before Obama was sworn in she told guests that in the face
of an uncertain world, partnership with Turkey was a priority for the
U.S. "Turkey’s importance to America is even greater at a time when
the Middle East has replaced Europe as the most critical region for
U.S. national security interests."

Damage done The percentage of Turkish people who believe Obama will
strengthen U.S. relations abroad, rose to 51 percent from 11 percent
six months ago, said a BBC poll released Tuesday. But on issues
ranging from Armenia and Cyprus to Gaza, many remained skeptical that
his leadership would benefit Turkey.

Outside Ghetto and 50 meters from the 2003 deadly bombing of the
British Consulate, taxi driver Turul Celik doubted if Obama’s strengths
could undo the damage former President George Bush had caused in the
world. "From invading Afghanistan to supporting Israel’s invasion in
GazaÃ~I [Obama] might be a good director but a repairman for all this,
I don’t think so."

With Obama’s presidency a few hours old, the band the Wingmen played
for attendees of the Istanbul inauguration party. With beers and
cocktails still flowing, Robert Feehly, who is at Kadir Has University,
said people had come to Ghetto’s celebration "to send an old decrepit
world into obscurity." He added that the dawn of intellectualism was
at hand. "And Obama will lead us to it."

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From: Baghdasarian