GUL IS PROMOTED FROM A POLITICIAN TO A STATESMAN
Hurriyet
Nov 18 2009
Turkey
When Gul’s candidacy for the presidency was announced I had no doubts
about him filling the seat. To tell the truth, the public in general
had no doubt about it. Those who opposed his candidacy only opposed
it because his wife wears a headscarf. But within a short period of
time he and his wife were able to fill the seat at Cankaya.
Gul did neither spend any effort on showing that the headscarf was a
political symbol nor did he spend effort on making everybody accept
it. On the contrary, especially in the beginning he always was careful
that Hayrunnisa stays a step behind him.
It is not easy to adapt to this attitude. He did not blow a gasket
as a president of a party that received 47 percent of the votes. Even
if he got angry he never expressed it.
He always used a gentle manner.
We never heard him increase the tone of his voice.
He never pushed away the opposition that criticized in a brisk
way and which is said to be the notary public of the Presidential
Palace. On the contrary he never cut the dialogue with the opposition
and appreciated their criticism.
Just as much as the prime minister was impulsive and brisk, Gul was
that much patient and gentle. He established dialogues but did not
cast away anyone.
He gave politics a direction and was the one to tidy up
The president’s most important contribution was to play an extremely
active role in domestic and international matters. When summing up
his deeds we face a very interesting scene.
– He was very active in international politics. But he never got
ahead of the prime minister and the foreign minister. He always
supported them. Just like it was the case in the al-Bashir case,
he clearly exhibited the difference in mode and thus prevented it
from becoming an issue.
– He was the one who wanted the Kurdish Initiative to start as soon
as possible and pressured the government constantly alerting that
it’s getting late. You’ll remember how he sent the first sign saying,
"We are facing a historical opportunity… good things will happen." He
was careful not to bypass DTP members while doing this. He put harmony
between state institutions first.
– He was also the one to start the Armenian Initiative. By joining the
football match in Yerevan he took the first step. He established an
extremely modest dialogue with Sarkisyan and provided for relations
today.
– He also played an important role during steps taken in the Alevi
issue. His visit to Tunceli and the Cemevi (place of worship for the
Alevi) was an extremely relaxing scene.
– In his relations with the military he was patient. He was very
understanding of their brisk reactions during the first months. He
did not get angry or upset. He ignored even those who did not show
up at the reception or did not shake hands with Hayrunnisa because
she is wearing a headscarf. He must have won their trust in the end
with his attitude at the National Security Council. So much so that
commanders showed up at the opening of the Parliament.
– His support through his extremely active behavior, visits and
speeches in external relations and especially the European Union did
not pass unnoticed.
– He also knew how to reach out to the public. Even if the public
does not accept his worldview, he opened up Cankaya for the public.
Being the first to congratulate Orhan Pamuk, stressing
multiculturalism, and proving that he is the president for all people,
was very important.
He was a politician and became a statesman and thus secured his
second term
When Abdullah Gul moved to Cankaya he was a politician.
Just like every politician he put his party first. He was criticized a
lot. Made mistakes but never gave up his courtesy and gentle behavior.
The Gul at Cankaya is progressively becoming a statesman.
With this attitude he secures his candidacy for presidency in 2012.
Nobody knows when the prime minister would want to move in at Cankaya.
But what’s known is that Gul will continue with his life in the
presidential palace.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress