Sudanese official violates Turkish Protocol at Ataturk mausoleum

January 23, 2008 (ANKARA) — A Sudanese official who visited Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s mausoleum wearing a rain hood during a visit by President Omar al-Bashir yesterday said he meant no disrespect for the founder of the Turkish Republic, explaining that he was not aware of the relevant protocol.

Mahjub Badry, press secretary for Sudanese president, stunned reporters when he signed a guestbook for visitors in Atatürk’s mausoleum on behalf of al-Bashir. He probably also became the first ever visitor to sign the book wearing a rain hood.

Responding to questions on his outfit, Badry said yesterday that he was not aware of protocol rules concerning visitors and that he did not intend to show any disrespect to Atatürk. The Sudanese government deeply respects Atatürk’s deeds, he said, but said he had no intention of offering an apology. A Sudanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mahjub kept his rain hood on because he was cold. Turkey, explained the official, is a lot colder than Sudan.

Al-Bashir arrived in Turkey for a visit on Monday and had talks with President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an in Ankara. Al-Bashir’s visit has became the focus of international human rights organizations, who have criticized the visit and called on Turkish leaders to press the Sudanese president to end ongoing bloodshed and abuses in Sudan’s Darfur region. Gül described the Darfur issue as “a humanitarian tragedy” after meeting with al-Bashir and called on the international community to exert efforts to help end it.

(Zaman Online)