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Kurdish Aspect, CO
Feb 1 2009
Neo-ottoman policy of AKP
EUTCC - By Michael Gunter
Professor of Political Science Michael Gunter and expert on Turkey and
Kurds explained the evolving role of Turkey in international relations
during the EUTCC's Fifth international conference on EU, Turkey and
the Kurds.
According to Gunter the AKP government has played an important role to
establish peace and security on regional and international
levels. Turkey is one of the founding members of the United Nations
and recently became a non-permanent member of the UN security
council. Turkey contributed to international missions in Latin
America, Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, and Asia.
Gunter's examples of Turkey's constructive role are the
Palestinian-Israeli forum to develop the West-Bank, the Israeli-Syria
negotiations, the hosting of a conference for neighbouring
countries. The organization for Islamic Conference (OIC). The Caucasus
platform with Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. And additional
black sea cooperation and the recent football diplomacy with Armenia.
The Kurdish problem
The AKP's Middle Eastern policies are focused on two factors says
Gunter: The Kurdish problem and Neo-ottomanism. "In the Kemalist
vision the Kurds are an existential threat to the Turkish
existence. This is in contrast with Neo-ottomanism, that doesn't have
a problem with Kurdish identity and is focused on economic growth and
comfortable with islamic/multiple identities without seeking
imperialism. Since military means by Kemalism to repress Kurds, will
not solve the problem by itself."
Neo-Ottomanism
Turkey uses soft power. "This is increasingly important. Turkey also
contributes significantly to humanitarian and technical aids and
participates in numerous bilateral aid programs. Turkey is rapidly
emerging as a major state and assists in development. Turkey also
contributed to human rights and the status of woman."
Gunter thinks Turkey plays an important role both regionally and
internationally and is an important transit rout for energy resources
from both the Middle East and Central Asia to Europe. "Turkey is seen
by other UN members of working hard to establish peace in a difficult
region."
But Gunter also remarked that the problems with the PKK, the Kurdish
government in Iraq and the EU and the USA will challenge the Turkish
capacity in the UN security council. Especially if they continue with
the military operations.
Role Obama
But Obama as a new president could result in new opportunities and
problems. "Obama promised to re-establish relations with Turkey and
the Regional Kurdistan Government (KRG) and negotiate a comprehensive
agreement that will deal with the Turkish PKK threat, guarantee the
Turkish territorial integrity and investment in the KRG regions."
Many Turks are also wary of Obama's possible recognition of the
'Armenian genocide' and Joe Biden's decentralization plan for
Iraq. "Also the EU membership remains problematic. If Turkey manages a
constructive role in the UN council, this might soften resistance for
Turkish accession to the EU. But Turkey must solve the Kurdish
problem." Otherwise Turkey forgot nothing and learned nothing.
Courtesy of Mezopotamian Development Society
http://www.kurdishaspect.com/doc020109MG. html
Feb 1 2009
Neo-ottoman policy of AKP
EUTCC - By Michael Gunter
Professor of Political Science Michael Gunter and expert on Turkey and
Kurds explained the evolving role of Turkey in international relations
during the EUTCC's Fifth international conference on EU, Turkey and
the Kurds.
According to Gunter the AKP government has played an important role to
establish peace and security on regional and international
levels. Turkey is one of the founding members of the United Nations
and recently became a non-permanent member of the UN security
council. Turkey contributed to international missions in Latin
America, Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, and Asia.
Gunter's examples of Turkey's constructive role are the
Palestinian-Israeli forum to develop the West-Bank, the Israeli-Syria
negotiations, the hosting of a conference for neighbouring
countries. The organization for Islamic Conference (OIC). The Caucasus
platform with Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. And additional
black sea cooperation and the recent football diplomacy with Armenia.
The Kurdish problem
The AKP's Middle Eastern policies are focused on two factors says
Gunter: The Kurdish problem and Neo-ottomanism. "In the Kemalist
vision the Kurds are an existential threat to the Turkish
existence. This is in contrast with Neo-ottomanism, that doesn't have
a problem with Kurdish identity and is focused on economic growth and
comfortable with islamic/multiple identities without seeking
imperialism. Since military means by Kemalism to repress Kurds, will
not solve the problem by itself."
Neo-Ottomanism
Turkey uses soft power. "This is increasingly important. Turkey also
contributes significantly to humanitarian and technical aids and
participates in numerous bilateral aid programs. Turkey is rapidly
emerging as a major state and assists in development. Turkey also
contributed to human rights and the status of woman."
Gunter thinks Turkey plays an important role both regionally and
internationally and is an important transit rout for energy resources
from both the Middle East and Central Asia to Europe. "Turkey is seen
by other UN members of working hard to establish peace in a difficult
region."
But Gunter also remarked that the problems with the PKK, the Kurdish
government in Iraq and the EU and the USA will challenge the Turkish
capacity in the UN security council. Especially if they continue with
the military operations.
Role Obama
But Obama as a new president could result in new opportunities and
problems. "Obama promised to re-establish relations with Turkey and
the Regional Kurdistan Government (KRG) and negotiate a comprehensive
agreement that will deal with the Turkish PKK threat, guarantee the
Turkish territorial integrity and investment in the KRG regions."
Many Turks are also wary of Obama's possible recognition of the
'Armenian genocide' and Joe Biden's decentralization plan for
Iraq. "Also the EU membership remains problematic. If Turkey manages a
constructive role in the UN council, this might soften resistance for
Turkish accession to the EU. But Turkey must solve the Kurdish
problem." Otherwise Turkey forgot nothing and learned nothing.
Courtesy of Mezopotamian Development Society
http://www.kurdishaspect.com/doc020109MG. html