Ankara - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's visit to Turkey on the weekend not only dealt with the tough regional policy issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iraq and the fight against terrorism but was also an attempt by the US to mend relations that nosedived after its invasion of Iraq in 2003.
A Turkish presidential press office picture made available on 08 March 2009 showing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (R) during their meeting at presidential office in Ankara, Turkey on 07 March 2009. Clinton was in Turkey for a one-day visit. EPA/TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE /
In addition to her meetings with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Clinton also took part in a television chat show in which she repeatedly emphasized her wish to deepen people-to-people relations between the US and Turkey.
'American and Turkish youths are number one and number two in the world in using Facebook,' Clinton said on a popular discussion programme hosted by four women.
'We are networking cultures,' she said announcing a new programme to facilitate an increase in exchange visits by young Turks and Americans.
The chat show was a chance for Clinton to show her human side, allowing ordinary Turks and Turkish women in particular to sympathize with what Radikal newspaper on Sunday called 'the world's strongest woman.'
Asked about whether she regretted waiting until her husband's political career was over before herself going into politics, Clinton said she hadn't considered going into politics and had instead concentrated on working with non-governmental organizations in the field of protecting human rights.
'My life has been unpredictable ... I have been very lucky, it is exciting and rewarding,' Clinton said. Taking questions from the floor she was asked when did she first fall in love to which she replied 'I've forgotten. It was so long ago.'
It was the US Embassy in Ankara which approached the producers of chat show if Clinton could appear.
'The show was a message (from Clinton) saying to women in both countries 'come on, let's work together,'' Haluk Sahin wrote in Radikal newspaper. 'Do you think that during the macho period of (former president) Bush that Condoleezza Rice could have appeared on the show?'
In addition to the softer topics, Clinton also hit out on women's rights, describing it as a 'constant struggle' and expressing amazement that 'in some countries only half of their population contributes to society.'
She also expressed her sorrow for the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, a topic close to most Turkish hearts.
The questions weren't all hard hitting, included how sugary she liked her Turkish coffee - medium, and on her sense of dress - not very good, but they weren't supposed to be.
They were a chance for Clinton to connect with ordinary Turks.
In this she succeeded and may have laid the foundation to rebuilding ties. The next opportunity for the US to do so will be when President Barack Obama visits in March or April, news of which was announced by Clinton on Saturday.
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