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ANKARA: This Crisis Should be Resolved Too

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  • ANKARA: This Crisis Should be Resolved Too

    This Crisis Should be Resolved Too
    By EKREM DUMANLI

    Zaman, Turkey
    Feb 10 2005


    One cannot deny the long-term crisis in Turkish-American relations.
    The tension, which began with the objection to the March 1
    deployment, deepens a bit at every opportunity.


    Turkey has many concerns about the developments in Northern Iraq.
    Turkey's expectation of an operation against the Kurdistan Workers'
    Party (PKK) has turned into disappointment. Kurdish leaders make
    provocative statements on the Kerkuk (Kirkuk) issue and the US
    usually foots the bill. The idea that Iran will benefit the most from
    a new Iraqi state with a Shiite majority is cause for concern…

    The problem is not just limited to Iraq. The US position and Turkey's
    official discourse conflict with one another on the ecumenical
    debate. Turkey wants to play a role in the Middle Eastern peace
    process, but it also explicitly accuses Israel of "state terrorism."
    This position brings Turkey head to head with US foreign policy.

    The magic of the diplomatic profession becomes apparent during
    difficult times like these.

    Turkey should continue its relations with the US on good terms and
    also maintain balance in the rest of the world. Although policies
    based on continuous tension straighten out over time, scars usually
    remain. Diplomatic foresight allows intervention before tension
    peaks.

    Last week, I had the opportunity to chat with people in many places,
    in particular at The Washington Post. Being in Washington was a big
    advantage for a journalist just days before US Secretary of State
    Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to visit Turkey. Almost everyone was
    busy making preparations; almost everyone had questions; almost
    everyone had their own interpretation regarding the visit.

    Apparently, the US wants to get rid of its negative image that was
    created during the Iraqi war and is therefore looking for solutions.
    It is also clear that they want to have a closer relationship with
    other countries in the world (particularly with Europe) during Bush's
    new term in presidency. The worldwide spread of anti-Americanism is
    cause for tremendous concern. Anti-Americanism in Turkey has reached
    80 percent according to a British Broadcast Company's (BBC) public
    survey. This finding also concerns the US.

    It is hard to believe that this public survey is correct. The Turkish
    public is not an enemy to the US, but it is clear that there is
    concern about US policies in the Middle East. The Turkish public has
    not forgotten the cooperation of Muslims and Americans in Bosnia,
    Kosovo, and Somalia, the US help in the seizure of PKK leader
    Abdullah Ocalan, the direct US support for European Union (EU)
    membership, etc. The chain of incidents that began with the March 1
    motion, however, keep tensions running high. Being on scathing terms
    sometimes strengthens conspiracy theories as well. As in the famous
    sack incident [when US soldiers put bags over the heads of Turkish
    soldiers in Iraq], there are other incidents such as being unable to
    do anything about the PKK in Northern Iraq that ferment
    misunderstanding and anger.

    To be honest, US-Turkey relations may face a more difficult period in
    the upcoming months. For instance, the "Armenian genocide bill,"
    which may ward off a final attack at any minute, might harm Turkey. A
    Turkish deputy's description of US activity in Iraq as "genocide" was
    discussed and passed over by Turkish interest groups. That the US
    feels unbelievable discomfort is clear enough. A deputy's remarks are
    not, in fact, binding to the Turkish government, but since relations
    are built on tension, a new crisis could emerge from almost any
    issue.

    There are critical issues that both countries have put in the deep
    freeze. These issues should be dealt with using clear minds and
    diplomatic courtesy. Of course, various possibilities could bring
    some opportunities to Turkey, but Turkey cannot give up its role as
    America's "strategic partner." Turkish diplomacy has solved many
    crises skillfully, and it should solve this, too. I hope Rice's visit
    to Turkey becomes a significant step toward normalized relations.

    --Boundary_(ID_AtEjL18vvyiGA5r5nYt4gw)--
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