Pope's visit to Turkey still on - MEP

The Turkish Foreign Minister has denied writing to Pope Benedict XVI to postpone his visit to Turkey, MEP John Attard Montalto told The Sunday Times.

Dr Attard Montalto has just returned from a working visit to Turkey organised by the European Parliament, where he met the Under-Secretary for European Affairs Ahmet Acet. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was overseas at the time.

"I specifically asked whether Turkey was still on course for the Papal visit and was assured that the foreign ministry views the visit as a way to enhance dialogue between different cultures," Dr Attard Montalto said. "A meeting of Catholic bishops in Istanbul said that as far as they knew the visit has not been cancelled."

The Cabinet of Ministers does not seem to be united on the issue and State Minister Mehmet Nenet Aydin, whose responsibility includes religious affairs, said he expected the authorities in Turkey to cancel the visit unless Pope Benedict XVI offered a full apology over his recent remarks about Islam. His sentiments were echoed by the Head of Religious Affairs Directorate Ali Bardakoglu who said that the apology the Pope has made was indirect, Dr Attard Montalto said.

The invitation to Benedict XVI was made by the President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and the visit is scheduled for November 28 to December 1.

"The first trip to a Muslim country by this Pope is expected to go ahead," Dr Attard Montalto said.

In his meeting with Mr Acet, Dr Attard Montalto noted that some Islamic factions were sensitive to certain issues, such as the Danish cartoons or remarks where the Prophet Mohammed or the Islamic religion are concerned.

"This sensitivity should always be taken into consideration so as not to upset the religious feelings of others," he said. "On the other hand, it appears that today the Christian religion is not so sensitive. The recent exhibitions by Madonna singing during a mock crucifixion had provoked adverse criticism but that is as far as it went."

Dr Attard Montalto said it was unfortunate that the Pope's comments were being taken out of context and that the Pontiff had already declared that he regretted that the quotation he used had given offence.

Although the full programme of the Pope's visit has not been officially published Dr Attard Montalto said he was informed that Benedict XVI was expected to meet the Turkish President in Ankara on November 28 and on the following day visit the ruins at Ephesus, where the Virgin Mary is said to have lived in a house which has just been restored for the occasion.

On November 30, the Pope is scheduled to meet the Istanbul-based Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew who wished to reciprocate the warm reception he received from the Pope at the Vatican.

The Pope is also expected to lead a sermon at Istanbul's St Esprit Cathedral on the last day of his trip although this has not been confirmed for security reasons, Dr Attard Montalto said.

During a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Dr Attard Montalto was informed that the Pope's visit still stood and everything would be done to guarantee his security.

"I have not seen any religious commotion on the ground both in Istanbul and Ankara," Dr Attard Montalto said. "There were no street demonstrations or other gatherings unlike in other states, particularly in Iran and Iraq.

"Violent street demonstrations, the burning of churches in Palestine and the killing of an Italian missionary nun in Somalia in protest at the Pope's remarks in no way reflect the high moral values of Islam," Dr Attard Montalto said.