Obama's agenda in Turkey: Iran, Israel and terrorism

U.S. President Barack Obama sought on Monday to rebuild ties with Turkey, a Muslim country with growing clout whose help Washington needs to solve confrontations from Iran to Afghanistan.

Obama's two-day visit is a nod to Turkey's regional reach, economic power, diplomatic contacts and status as a secular democracy seeking European Union membership that has accommodated political Islam.

It is the last leg of his eight-day debut trip on the world stage as president. It is also his first to a predominantly Muslim country as president, a visit closely watched in the Islamic world.

"I look forward to strengthening relations between the U.S. and Turkey and support Ataturk's vision of Turkey as a modern and prosperous democracy," Obama wrote in the guestbook at the tomb of the revered founder of modern Turkey.

The U.S.-Turkish relationship suffered in 2003 when Ankara opposed the invasion of Iraq and refused to let U.S. troops deploy on its territory. Turkey has also criticized Washington for allowing Kurdish separatists to be based in northern Iraq from where they stage attacks into Turkish territory.

Obama held talks with President Abdullah Gul after the tomb visit. The White House said at the top of his agenda was to discuss regional challenges, like the threat from terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, relations with Iran, and a goal of lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors.

He is also to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and and will deliver an address to parliament in Ankara on Monday.

Obama's motorcade got plenty of friendly waves from small groups along a route from the international airport to the city centre lined with security personnel. A few people waved tiny Turkish flags. Bush got a mostly indifferent response from the public in visits to the Muslim world.

Turkey will not be the venue for Obama's promised major speech in a Muslim capital, but his April 5-7 trip will be a way to emphasize his message of reaching out to Muslims.

Obama will stress Washington's support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union despite opposition from some member states. Obama urged EU leaders in Prague earlier on Sunday to accept Turkey as a full member of the 27-nation bloc, in remarks rejected outright by France and met coolly by Germany.

Turkish entry talks with the EU have been held up by European concerns over human rights, a perceived lack of progress on reforms, and by a long territorial dispute with EU member Cyprus. Turkey has pledged several times to press on with EU reforms, and membership is seen many years off at best.

In Istanbul, Obama will attend a reception of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, co-hosted by Turkey and Spain to bridge the gap between Western and Islamic countries.

	Turkish President Abdullah Gul, right, welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama at the presidential palace in Ankara on Monday.
	Photo by: (AP)