2007年VOA标准英语-Controversial Candidate Again Seeks Turkey's Pr

By Dorian Jones
Istanbul 2-341749
14 August 2007

Turkish FM Abdullah Gul speaks to the media after his meeting with the MHP leader Devlet Bahceli in Ankara, 14 Aug 2007

Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Tuesday he will run again for his country's presidency¹. His previous bid in April caused a political crisis that forced Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to call new elections. As Dorian Jones reports for VOA from Istanbul, Gul is a devout² Muslim and his candidacy is expected to raise opposition³ again from Turkey's secular⁴ opposition parties.

 

In a news conference to confirm his candidacy, Gul said he was answering the call of the people. He said, if elected, he will protect the secular constitution separating state and religion.

He said, "My candidacy is based on the masses of people, in the city and town square which have voiced their support for me." He added that he thought deeply about this decision, "but could not deny the people's wishes."

During his first bid for the presidency in April, opponents accused him of wanting to undermine the secular state, pointing to his leading role in previous Islamic parties. His candidacy caused a political crisis and resulted in last month's snap elections. His Justice and Development party won the election.

At his news conference, Gul stressed he is committed to to the founding principles of the republic.

 

"My priority is to follow the Turkish constitution and its principles of secularism⁵ and the rule of law. My guide will always be upholding the constitution," he said.

 

Gul spent much of Tuesday meeting with opposition party leaders in attempt to build support.

Along with concerns about his Islamic political past, his wife is also an issue. She wears a religious headscarf, which is banned in many state buildings. Gul refused to answer questions about the issue, saying it will be addressed later.

Political columnist⁶ Nuray Mert says Gul's candidacy could reopen divisions within Turkish society.

 

"Everybody is looking forward for a second term which is stable economically and also politically. And for political stability there must a compromise and consensus⁷ on the issue of presidency," said Mert.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in his office for a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, 24 Jul 2007

It is widely reported that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is not enthusiastic about Gul's candidacy. During the election campaign he had promised to consult with all the political leaders and seek a consensus over who will be president. But political analysts⁸ say the prime minister could not resist pressure from his grassroots supporters and deputies backing Gul's candidacy.

Since last month's election, the prime minister had been trying to repair divisions within Turkish society. Last week he chose a consensus candidate for the speaker of parliament.

1 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

2 devout   

adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness)

参考例句：

• His devout Catholicism appeals to ordinary people.他对天主教的虔诚信仰感染了普通民众。
• The devout man prayed daily.那位虔诚的男士每天都祈祷。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 secular   

n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的

参考例句：

• We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
• Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。

5 secularism   

n.现世主义；世俗主义；宗教与教育分离论；政教分离论

参考例句：

• Unless are devoted to God, secularism shall not leave us. 除非我们奉献于神，否则凡俗之心便不会离开我们。 来自互联网
• They are no longer a huge threat to secularism. 他们已不再是民主的巨大威胁。 来自互联网

6 columnist   

n.专栏作家

参考例句：

• The host was interviewing a local columnist.节目主持人正在同一位当地的专栏作家交谈。
• She's a columnist for USA Today.她是《今日美国报》的专栏作家。

7 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。