Tweet
A NEW TANGO IS STARTING IN TURKEY-US RELATIONS
Hurriyet
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=a-new-tango-starts-in-relations-between-turkey-and-the-us-2010-12-23
Dec 23 2010
Turkey
Relations between Turkey and the United States are currently being
fine-tuned. The dangerous course has been replaced with a calmer
process, a mutually new attempt and opportunity to put relations back
on track.
It becomes apparent that the White House gave the "Don't batter
Turkey" message to those that have been very angry with Turkey. The
president's statement in daily Hurriyet over the weekend ("Our
relations are strong, we may have some differences but these are of
minor importance") seemed to be the first sign.
Then we need to add to that the sensibility of the administration in
respect to the Armenian bill taking place on the agenda of the House
of Representatives. The administration seems to be preparing to listen
to Ankara more broad-mindedly. As a matter of fact, we couldn't help
but noticing that a delegation came to Istanbul last week only to
"change the course of Turkish American relations and attempting to
understand Turkey better."
This visit, attended by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K.
Albright, retired ambassadors, nongovernmental organizations and
academics, aimed to see the course of Turkey and examine the reality
in place. All were people who valued relations with Turkey very much
and knew the region well and more importantly were close to the Obama
administration. You see, nobody felt the need to convince anyone or
tell about our own case.
They asked and Turkish participants lead by İlter Turkmen shared
their views. Rest assured, that this meeting was very informative
in respect to differing views and analysis. Even those who used to
criticize Prime Minister Erdogan from time to time gave him credit.
I used to participate in such meetings many times but this one was
different in tone and atmosphere. In summary I could say the following:
- Relations between Turkey and the U.S. are not as they used to be
in the sense of little brother does as the big brother says. Some
Americans accept that Turkey is playing an important role in the region
but a substantial part of Washington could not adopt this reality.
- The United States letting go of or turning its back on the Turkey's
ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is out of question. From
now on difference in opinion or serious disagreement will be present
but at the end of the day they'll meet in the same place.
- Washington too does know that its general attitude needs to change.
It does not like Turkey's approach in Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Sudan
and Syria relations but seems to understand that it has to get over it.
- It openly shows that the former "Strategic Partnership" has no
meaning anymore. Thus another slogan needs to be found.
- They accept that Turkey is looking for a new approach rather than
a shift in axis.
- They often repeat that there is no shift in axis but Ankara needs
to find a way to better explain itself.
- As much as the need for Turkey to change its approach in issues
like Iran and Israel, the United States needs to share its politics
regarding Turkey.
This meeting and statements thereafter will be very helpful with
respect to explaining Turkey's approach in the region. But let's not
forget that Turkey also needs to support this effort.
Ankara is expected to fine tune its attitude in order not to upset
Washington and stop beating Israel constantly.
We'll miss the Armenian protocols much
We were about to incidentally receive a goal in our goalpost in
respect to the Armenian genocide bill as we were playing in overtime.
Pressure form the Obama administration, not enough votes in the
Congress and not sufficient support from the Israeli lobby saved us
from this goal.
Everybody took a deep breath. But don't worry there will be another
bill in April. And if that one doesn't pass there will be another one
the following year. This will continue until 2015 (the anniversary
of genocide allegations). If no vital steps are taken or any progress
made the Armenians will try and do their best to pass the draft.
The only way to stop this course was the protocols signed with
Yerevan. It was expected to take pressure off of our shoulders. But
Ankara could not keep these protocols alive. The ministry for foreign
affairs either was unable to explain itself to Azerbaijanis or the
Azerbaijanis didn't care or take it serious. But when things got
serious and protocols were signed, they got upset. Turkey couldn't
break Aliyev's heart and succumbed to Baku.
In short, Ankara regrets it now. It is obvious that as long as these
protocols are not revived it won't rid itself of the Armenian spiral.
So what are we supposed to do? Will we live through this torture
every year until 2015?
From: A. Papazian
Hurriyet
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=a-new-tango-starts-in-relations-between-turkey-and-the-us-2010-12-23
Dec 23 2010
Turkey
Relations between Turkey and the United States are currently being
fine-tuned. The dangerous course has been replaced with a calmer
process, a mutually new attempt and opportunity to put relations back
on track.
It becomes apparent that the White House gave the "Don't batter
Turkey" message to those that have been very angry with Turkey. The
president's statement in daily Hurriyet over the weekend ("Our
relations are strong, we may have some differences but these are of
minor importance") seemed to be the first sign.
Then we need to add to that the sensibility of the administration in
respect to the Armenian bill taking place on the agenda of the House
of Representatives. The administration seems to be preparing to listen
to Ankara more broad-mindedly. As a matter of fact, we couldn't help
but noticing that a delegation came to Istanbul last week only to
"change the course of Turkish American relations and attempting to
understand Turkey better."
This visit, attended by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K.
Albright, retired ambassadors, nongovernmental organizations and
academics, aimed to see the course of Turkey and examine the reality
in place. All were people who valued relations with Turkey very much
and knew the region well and more importantly were close to the Obama
administration. You see, nobody felt the need to convince anyone or
tell about our own case.
They asked and Turkish participants lead by İlter Turkmen shared
their views. Rest assured, that this meeting was very informative
in respect to differing views and analysis. Even those who used to
criticize Prime Minister Erdogan from time to time gave him credit.
I used to participate in such meetings many times but this one was
different in tone and atmosphere. In summary I could say the following:
- Relations between Turkey and the U.S. are not as they used to be
in the sense of little brother does as the big brother says. Some
Americans accept that Turkey is playing an important role in the region
but a substantial part of Washington could not adopt this reality.
- The United States letting go of or turning its back on the Turkey's
ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is out of question. From
now on difference in opinion or serious disagreement will be present
but at the end of the day they'll meet in the same place.
- Washington too does know that its general attitude needs to change.
It does not like Turkey's approach in Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Sudan
and Syria relations but seems to understand that it has to get over it.
- It openly shows that the former "Strategic Partnership" has no
meaning anymore. Thus another slogan needs to be found.
- They accept that Turkey is looking for a new approach rather than
a shift in axis.
- They often repeat that there is no shift in axis but Ankara needs
to find a way to better explain itself.
- As much as the need for Turkey to change its approach in issues
like Iran and Israel, the United States needs to share its politics
regarding Turkey.
This meeting and statements thereafter will be very helpful with
respect to explaining Turkey's approach in the region. But let's not
forget that Turkey also needs to support this effort.
Ankara is expected to fine tune its attitude in order not to upset
Washington and stop beating Israel constantly.
We'll miss the Armenian protocols much
We were about to incidentally receive a goal in our goalpost in
respect to the Armenian genocide bill as we were playing in overtime.
Pressure form the Obama administration, not enough votes in the
Congress and not sufficient support from the Israeli lobby saved us
from this goal.
Everybody took a deep breath. But don't worry there will be another
bill in April. And if that one doesn't pass there will be another one
the following year. This will continue until 2015 (the anniversary
of genocide allegations). If no vital steps are taken or any progress
made the Armenians will try and do their best to pass the draft.
The only way to stop this course was the protocols signed with
Yerevan. It was expected to take pressure off of our shoulders. But
Ankara could not keep these protocols alive. The ministry for foreign
affairs either was unable to explain itself to Azerbaijanis or the
Azerbaijanis didn't care or take it serious. But when things got
serious and protocols were signed, they got upset. Turkey couldn't
break Aliyev's heart and succumbed to Baku.
In short, Ankara regrets it now. It is obvious that as long as these
protocols are not revived it won't rid itself of the Armenian spiral.
So what are we supposed to do? Will we live through this torture
every year until 2015?
From: A. Papazian