On his first day in office the new Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended the graduation ceremony at the Gulhane Military Academy for Medicine (GATA) and for the first time as president, met with the military commanders who were absent at his swearing in ceremony yesterday. Before Gul entered accompanied by the Chief of Staff it was announced that everybody should stand for the president. President Gul presented the first diploma to the valedictorian, Speaker Toptan to the second-best student, PM Erdogan to the third and Chief of General Staff General Buyukanit to the fourth student.

Mainstream Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that while the applause during President Gul’s presentation was weak, there was a loud and long round of applause for General Buyukanit when he got up to present the fourth diploma.

It was also noted that the Chief of Staff did not salute the President in military style when Gul got up to go to the podium, contrary to the custom. It was observed that the generals looked solemn and thoughtful during the ceremony.

Source: Hurriyet, Sabah, Turkey, August 29, 2007