President Obama In Constantinople

President Obama arrived in Constantinople yesterday continuing his efforts to restore international respect for America among foreign nations with a majority Muslim population. Already he has made headlines with a saying that will forever be inscribed in history books: "America is not, and never will be, at war with Islam". Leman, a Turkish satirical magazine, published a cartoon this week showing Obama in a turban pointing like Uncle Sam, and saying "I Want You". This accurately sums up Obama's main goal in his visit to Turkey - to recruit Turkey into the European Union. Turkey is a secular nation, probably the most secular of all the Muslim nations, and if he can't make a good impression there and succeed in demolishing the hatred for America caused by the last administration, he is unlikely to succeed anywhere else.

The main stumbling block preventing Turkey's enrollment into the European Union however is its intolerance to other religions and its neighbors, especially the Orthodox Church and Armenia.

In today's address, he did not address the issue of the Turkish Genocide directly, but encouraged Turkey to resolve its dispute and reopen the border with Armenia, adding: "Reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future."

Obama went on to say: "I know there are strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of 1915. And the best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive."

Of Obama's speech to the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Taner Akcam, a prominent Turkish scholar on the Armenian Genocide, said: "I think he really pushed the borders, in a very positive and very smart way." Akcam said Obama went as far as any president could go in addressing a foreign country's legislature. Furthermore, Akcam observes that Obama had in effect said, "'it is not important what I think -- which is a clever way of saying I believe it was genocide -- but I encourage you to talk to your neighbors, and am happy that you are developing your relationship with Armenia.' More than that, one could not expect." It was especially effective, according to Ackam, for Obama to note that the United States had also worked through contentious and vexing issues including slavery. "It was very clever because he put the United States in the center. He said, 'look, I am coming from a country where even people like myself couldn’t vote. And we have our history of mistreatment of Native Americans. But now I am speaking as a president."

During the presidential campaign in 2008, Obama said that the killings of the Armenians amounted to genocide. Before addressing the Turkish Parliament, Obama said that he had not changed his views, which were "on the record."

Another issue preventing Turkey's enrollment into EU is the issue of Cyprus. The division of Cyprus must be ovecome before Turkey can be further considered. "The United States is willing to offer all the help sought by the parties as they work toward a just and lasting settlement that reunifies Cyprus into a bizonal and bicommunal federation," Obama said.

Lastly, Obama urged the Assembly in Ankara to reopen Halki Orthodox Seminary which would prove to the world that Turkey supports freedom of religion and freedom of expression. “Freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant society that only strengthens the state, which is why steps like reopening the Halki Seminary will send such an important signal inside Turkey and beyond,” Obama added. The Turks have consistently dodged Greek appeals for the reopening of the seminary, asserting that a religious institution cannot exist in Turkey without government oversight.

On his trip, President Obama was able to visit some tourist attractions in Constantinople as well, including a visit to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. While inside Hagia Sophia President Obama and Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received information from the curator of the museum. Obama, as he stood under a fresco of the Virgin Mary, told reporters that he found the museum "Spectacular". And of course before entering the Blue Mosque the President respectfully removed his shoes and got a tour from two Muslim clerics. He remained in each building for about an hour and remained mostly silent according to sources. He also met with various religious leaders.

A White House aide said that the President's separate meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I had an interesting note. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I went through a long list of items accomplished by the President on this trip, congratulating him on a successful speech to the Turkish Parliament, for instance. After going through this list, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I said, "Oh -- and by the way: congratulations on North Carolina."

President Obama had picked the UNC Tarheels to win the NCAA college basketball tournament, which the team did last night. The president, according to the White House aide, laughed and smiled.

The Ecumenical Patriarch commented that Obama had been "very unassuming, very friendly, humble, and I was impressed with his simplicity", adding that the US president was pleased "when I congratulated him because his team, North Carolina, won yesterday's basketball game". "He was impressed that I knew of it and was very pleased, laughed, and thanked me, and in that pleasant atmosphere we parted," the Ecumenical Patriarch said. His All Holiness mentioned that he had sent to the President, through the local U.S. General Counsel, an icon of the Prophet Baruch (patron of the President) with a handwritten inscription.

Most Greek newspapers are already reporting however that America tried to keep the meeting confidential as Obama’s official program disseminated by the White House did not contain any reference to the 15-minute meeting with the patriarch nor were any pictures taken. They say this was done to comfort the Turkish side and it was "upsetting" that Obama seemed to only "secretly" meet with the patriarch to please Greek-Americans. However pictures were taken, as can be seen below.

Overall, the results of his trip are proving to be successful. According to a New York Times poll, “67 percent of Americans believe the President will return to the U.S. with the respect of world leaders.” And the Turks seem ready to be recruited by him. “We WANT to like him, he seems so different from past Presidents” one Turk is reported as saying.