NATO's Rasmussen declares deep respect for people's religious beliefs, ıncluding islam

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen arrived in Ankara yesterday for official talks, in his first visit to Turkey in his new post. Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Rasmussen said the future and ways to boost the alliance would be discussed during his talks with Turkish officials. Rasmussen said he was looking forward to closer cooperation with Turkey. As part of his visit, Rasmussen attended an iftar (fast-breaking dinner) last night along with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that was hosted by the Ankara branch of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Speaking at the dinner, Rasmussen said, "Please see my presence here tonight as a clear manifestation of my respect for Islam, as one of the world's greatest religions." Stating that attending the iftar was a pleasure for him, Rasmussen stressed his deep respect for people's religious beliefs. Rasmussen's remarks seemed to fit Turkish officials' expectations that he would use the visit as an opportunity to deliver messages showing religious sensitivity and a willingness to seek reconciliation with the Muslim world. Erdogan used the event to criticize terrorist acts carried out in the name of Islam, urge greater respect for Muslims in the West, and push for Turkey's European Union membership. "If the European Union wants to be a global actor, the home for an alliance of civilizations, then Turkey must take its place within the Union," he said. Rasmussen was also received by President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace yesterday. During their meeting, Gul pledged Turkey's support for Rasmussen's success in his new mission. Saying that Turkey sees NATO's new strategic concept as very important, Gul said that NATO should be ready to stand up to new threats, and urged the new head of the alliance to consider the views of all NATO members while forming that concept. Gul and Rasmussen also discussed Afghan-Pakistani relations. Gul said that Turkey had made efforts on the issue, and would continue to do so. Rasmussen stressed that Turkey is an essential ally for NATO, with key roles especially in the Middle East and Central Asia. Today Rasmussen is expected to hold separate talks with Erdgoan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug. During today's talks, Erdogan will reportedly encourage Rasmussen to establish close contacts with the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Ankara will also suggest that Rasmussen organize a joint NATO-OIC conference to address misunderstandings between the Western and Muslim worlds. Ankara is reportedly also working on a proposal to establish an institutional communication mechanism between the two organizations. One option for the mechanism is to appoint special representatives for dialogue between the two organizations.