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Gül suggests media not cover polemics among politicians
Last week, harsh words and punches were exchanged in Parliament between Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies over the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine’s (GATA) refusal to allow the prime minister’s wife to enter its facilities in 2007 because she wears a headscarf. Osman Durmuş, a deputy from the MHP, drew the indignation of AK Party deputies when he made fun of news reports on GATA’s refusal to allow Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife to enter the hospital to visit thespian Nejat Uygur in 2007 because she was wearing a headscarf.
The polemic between the MHP and AK Party grew further when the party leaders directed heavy criticism at each other in the parties’ parliamentary group meetings on Tuesday.
 President Gül impressed by Taj Mahal President Abdullah Gül, who visited the world-famous Taj Mahal yesterday during his trip to India, called the building “magnificent.” Gül traveled to Agra from New Delhi early on Wednesday together with his wife, Hayrünnisa, and the delegation accompanying him. They visited the famed Taj Mahal, the construction of which was commissioned by Shah Jahan, one of India’s Mughal emperors, as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, in the 17th century. Expressing admiration for the construction, Gül said it deserves to be one of the world’s wonders. He also stressed that it was well preserved despite India being a heavily populated country. The president posed for a photo in front of the Taj Mahal together with this wife and the delegation. After attending a luncheon in his honor in Agra, Gül was planning to travel to Mumbai, India’s business center. İstanbul Today’s Zaman with wires |
During a gathering with journalists in New Delhi on Tuesday, Gül was asked to comment on the ongoing tension between the AK Party and the MHP. Gül asked the media not to let the situation linger, suggesting they not cover the news of such political polemics.
“Just for one week, try to write about only the good things politicians said about each other. Let’s see what happens then,” said Gül, adding, “It’s critical to extricate ourselves from the environment of tension in Turkey.”
When asked whether he plans to intervene in the escalated tensions, Gül responded: “There are various things in my mind. I need to think about them. Everyone should make a contribution [to end the tension], including me as the president.”
The president warned that perpetuation of tension in the country would drag Turkey into a vicious circle, which he said in turn would lead to a loss of self-confidence in the country.
Gül also elaborated on his initial remarks about the prospects of the drafting of a new Constitution by the current Parliament. Before his departure for India on Sunday, Gül told reporters that Turkey had missed the opportunity it once had to change its Constitution, an anti-democratic document left over from the 1980 coup d’état era.
Indicating that his statements had been misunderstood by some, Gül explained: “I said this Parliament could have written a civilian constitution. As a sign of regret [over this], I said, ‘The opportunity [to do this] was missed.’ If such a constitution had been drawn up, everyone would be pleased about it. Turkey needs a new Constitution in all respects. There was the opportunity for the drafting of a more universal constitution.”
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