BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Is there a visible change in Turkey's image abroad after our recent general and presidential elections? The answer is yes. Then what has changed or what's the direction of this change? Most analyses of Turkey characterized the elections as a confrontation between Islamism and secularism, saying that the former had triumphed over the latter. I have already called this way of looking at things superficial and hyperbolic. Later, studies conducted by academics and researchers argued that religion wasn't the most important factor in these elections, but that that social and economic issues played a much stronger role. Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul being the top candidate for president made the same circles think that his election was also an outcome of the battle between Islamism and secularism. This time, however, the comments were even more hyperbolic, and Gul's elevation was seen as the end of secularism and even a counter-revolution.
Although the main deciding factor in the elections was neither religion nor secularism, the outcome highlighted these, and a new image of Turkey has emerged. The first element of this new image is the new first lady wearing a headscarf - in fact, this is the sole different thing in this new image. But the foreign media continue to publish comments saying that Turkey has entered a new era in which Islamic ideas have grown stronger and secularism has lost ground. Of course some analysts do better evaluations, but the general thought is that this is the direction Turkey is moving in. How will such an image affect Turkey's foreign relations and place in the world? According to Huge Pope, an author of books on Turkey currently working for the International Crisis Group's (ICG) Turkey Desk, there are still some people in the West who misread the outcomes of the recent elections. As a matter of fact, discussions of secularism and Islam in Turkey are leading foreigners to get such false impressions. And some prejudices about Islam in Europe give an opportunity to people looking for any excuse to use against Turkey. Actually, an image of Turkey gradually moving away from secularism towards Islamic rule will be more negative for Europe.
The situation is different when it comes to relations between states or the policies of the government. The reelection of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Abdullah Gul being elected president aren't expected to have a negative impact. On the contrary, clues and official statements from Brussels and other EU capitals show that now we can accelerate our negotiations with the EU, and that they rely on the AKP and President Gul in this respect. New images such as a new first lady wearing a headscarf don't interest or disturb them. More frankly, EU officials don't see Turkey as a country becoming Islamic where secularism is being destroyed. This is also true of a number of countries including the US, as far as I know. What is important for Washington is Turkey's being ruled by a government which works in tune with the West, doesn't make a mess in relations and continues democracy and stability in the country. In this respect, the US has given credit to the new government and president. As for the Islamic world, as we can tell from published comments and analyses, they see Turkey's new image as a good one.