Turkish military warns secularism under attack

Gul has stated on several occasions he has no intention of trying to change Turkey into an Islamic state, but look at Bush. Ideology and faith do enter into running a country even if the leader doesn't intentionally work to make it happen.

This should prove to be quite interesting theater in the months to come. I think I'll be needing lots of popcorn.

On the eve of a devout Muslim's expected accession to the country's presidency, Turkey's resolutely secular military leadership issued a sharp warning yesterday against any attempt to erode the constitutional separation of religion and state.

The strongly worded statement by the powerful army chief of staff was not expected to derail today's election of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul by lawmakers. Gul needs only a majority of votes in parliament, which his party dominates, to assume the presidency.

Nonetheless, the army's warning illustrated the continuing rift within Turkey over the role of Islam in public life -- a debate that was muted, but not silenced, by the decisive victory of the Islamist-pedigreed ruling party in July's general election.

"The Turkish armed forces, as in the past, will never deviate from its determined stance and its duty of protecting and guarding the democratic, secular . . . Turkish republic," General Yasar Buyukanit, the chief of the military's general staff, said in a statement.

The good news is Buyukanit, even before the election is finished, has come out and very bluntly stated the military won't let Gul steer Turkey toward an Islamic state. Gul has been warned in no uncertain terms.

Via Boston Globe.