`Gray Wolf' Party Appeals to Nationalism of a Greater Turkey in Both History, Myth

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NICOSIA, Cyprus - Their symbol is a gray wolf, a mythical animal which, according to legend, led the ancient Turkomen tribe westward out of the turmoil and mysteries of central Asia.

The legend took a more concrete form in 1969 when a retired army colonel by the name of Alpaslan Turkes formed a political party pledged to a "greater Turkey" spreading from the Strait of Bosporus to the wall of China and marching in step behind its military leaders.

Today, 30 years later, the "gray wolves" of the National Action Party (MHP) are within reach of power.

Since its formation, the MHP, which initially was known as the popular Socialist Movement, has established considerable support in various state …