Massive security for Pope's Turkey visit

Turkish security teams are in position around the cities of Ankara and Istanbul today, as Pope Benedict XVI begins his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country.

Turkish security teams are in position around the cities of Ankara and Istanbul today, as Pope Benedict XVI begins his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country.

Small protests broke out in both cities, but authorities say security measures for the Pope – who angered Muslims worldwide with comments in September on Islam and violence – will be tighter than they were for the visit of US president George Bush.

Benedict is to arrive at the Ankara airport at around noon local time, where he will meet Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who waited until the day before Benedict’s arrival to announce that he would make time to meet the pontiff.

Reports say some 3,000 police officers have been assigned to guard the Pope upon his arrival in the dusty, sprawling capital Ankara. Snipers will watch from hillsides and tall buildings, and armoured vehicles and riot police will be stationed near the areas he is due to visit.

Police were also mobilising and staking out spots in Istanbul, where Benedict will spend most of his four days in Turkey.

“We have taken all the necessary measures and observations of the route the Pope (will travel) and the places the Pope will visit,” Istanbul police spokesman Ismail Caliskan said.

Yesterday a group of around 100 pro-Islamic demonstrators displayed what they said were a million signatures for a petition demanding that the Haghia Sophia, now a museum in Istanbul, be declared a mosque and opened to worship for Muslims.

The Haghia Sophia was built in the 6th century as a Christian church, but was converted to a mosque in 1453 when Islamic armies conquered the city – then a Christian metropolis called Constantinople.

In a speech on Sunday, Benedict said he was coming to Turkey as a friend and asked his followers to pray for him. That same day, more than 25,000 Turks showed up to a mass anti-Vatican protest in Istanbul, asking the Pope to stay at home.

The visit to Turkey will be a test of whether this pope can soften some of the Christian-Muslim tensions that boiled over after Benedict quoted a Byzantine emperor who characterised some of the teachings of Islam’s prophet Mohammed as “evil and inhuman”.

The visit will also be a test of the Turkish public’s willingness to tolerate criticism of Islam and their ability to co-ordinate a massive and potentially problematic visit.

Justice minister Cemil Cicek the visit was an opportunity for improved relations between the Christian and Muslim worlds.

“We would want this visit to be a cornerstone for (relations) between the two worlds,” Cicek, said after a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

“Turkey is a country that is recognised worldwide for its tolerance and its hospitality. This is an opportunity for (Turkey) to display these qualities.”

Cicek said the protests were not directed toward the papacy, but the Pope’s comments on Islam.

“Some sector of the population are disturbed by the visit. Their disturbance is not because the Pope is the Pope, but because of the remarks he made,” he said.

A brief statement from President Ahmet Necdet Sezer office said talks with the pontiff today would focus on “opportunities for developing mutual understanding and co-operation”, on bilateral relations between Turkey and the Vatican as well as regional and international issues.

After spending tonight in Ankara, Benedict will visit Ephesus and Istanbul, where he will meet Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.

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