TURKPULSE
No:90 IRAQ
STANDOFF – CATCH 22 FOR TURKEY TURKPULSE
No:90 IRAQ
STANDOFF – CATCH 22 FOR TURKEY
The Western media has been portraying Turkey as a profiteer trying to scoop exorbitant financial gains out of the imminent war in Iraq. The reality is the reverse. Ankara is only trying to prevent being the second biggest loser from the war after the Iraqi people, as was the case in the first Gulf War, and also to ensure its security. The financial aspect of the tough talks with the United States was only a secondary issue for Turkey; strategic issues being a much deeper rooted and vitally more important long-term problem for the nation. Needless to say it concerns the long-term American plans to create a new independent State in the region by provoking the Kurds’ outmoded nationalist feelings. The Turkish Parliament’s rejection on March 1st of the Government’s motion to let the United States use Turkey as a base for an aggression against Iraq was the best answer to the claims that the Turkish nation was selling itself off to the Americans.
TURKPULSE
No:91 TURKEY–A RELIABLE FRIEND,
NOT AN “OBEDIENT SERVANT”
In regard to Turkey, the Bush Administration seems to understand the difference between parliamentary democracy and the Gulf sheikdoms or emirates, but it is doubtful that at least the Hawks of that administration have yet understood the difference between the reliable friendship of a democracy and the Victorian type “Obedient Servant”. American democracy now faces its own diplomats such as Brady Kiesling for this lack of understanding and will eventually come round to a reasonable point of a democratic practice. Certainly there is a lot to achieve for President Bush’s foreign colleagues such as PM Blair and President Sezer in helping Washington to choose the golden media in its current dynamic, indeed aggressive, foreign policy moves “for a new world” after 11 September. Last week’s developments were proof that they are trying to do their best in this regard. For the analysis of these latest developments from Turkey’s angle, please see the article below.
TURKPULSE
No:92
TURKEY’S
PLACE IN RESHAPING WORLD, ESPECIALLY EURASIA
President Bush’s discourteous remarks to two Turkish ministers was clearly the limit, as far as the American mistreatment of its traditional staunch and reliable ally Turkey goes, in the current Iraq crisis that has already culminated into a painful hot war. Its consequences remain to be seen, not only in the course of the ongoing tragic war, but also in the much more profound impact on the reshaping of the world in the post-war period. The statement by Turkey’s top commander, General Ozkok, in Diyarbakir last Wednesday (26th) is especially indicative of the future developments in Eurasia. For the details please see the article below.