New Turkey presidency row looms

[Eugene]

Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Tuesday, 14 August 2007, 09:36 GMT 10:36 UK

New Turkey presidency row looms

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has confirmed he
plans to stand again as a presidential candidate.

His previous presidential bid sparked huge protests in
May because of his Islamist roots. Secular institutions,
including the army, opposed him.

Mr Gul said his ruling AK Party, which won a convincing
victory in elections last month, was backing his bid.

Opponents dislike the fact that Mr Gul's wife wears the
Muslim headscarf, which is banned in state institutions.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6945140.stm

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Update: Turkey's Gul vows secular agenda

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has pledged to protect and strengthen the country's secular principles if he succeeds in a fresh presidential bid.

The former Islamist sparked huge controversy and protests in a failed bid for the post earlier this year.

Critics, including the army, feared an erosion of secular values despite Mr Gul's reassurances to the contrary.

Mr Gul's AK Party dominates the Turkish parliament, which chooses the president in a run of votes starting on Monday.

"Protection of secularism is one of my basic principles," Mr Gul told a news conference on Tuesday after submitting his application to parliament.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6946269.stm