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ERDOGAN'S VISIT TO LEBANON: SEEKING FOR A REGIONAL ROLE
By Gamze Coskun
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Nov 26 2010
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan began a two-day official visit to
Lebanon on November 24, 2010. Lebanese people greeted Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beirut with Turkish flags and posters
of Erdogan, which said welcome in Turkish.
Erdogan attracted the attentions in Turkish media with his enthusiastic
speeches during his visit. The Turkish PM touched upon many serious
issues both in the country and the region.
Special Tribunal on Lebanon
Lebanon is at the edge of a crisis concerning the UN-backed inquiry
into the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri in 2005. The tribunal plans to
issue an indictment in December. Additionally, it was claimed by CBC
News, formerly by Der Spiegel, that the Lebanese Shiite organization
Hezbollah (Party of God) was behind murder of Hariri according to the
investigations by the tribunal. However, Hezbullah denies any sorts
of involvement into the assassination.
Commentators and Hezbollah state that any crisis or violent actions
may occur in case of an indictment against Hezbollah. There is anger
and suspicion against the work of the tribunal as it may accelerate
the hostilities between rival Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the country.
What is more, many believe that impartial conclusions cannot be
reached via this tribunal.
Additionally, Hezbollah argues that the tribunal is illegal as
Lebanon's cabinet approved it in 2006 after the resignation of five
Shiite ministers. Accordingly, Hezbollah justifies its claim by
indicating that the Lebanese constitution requires that all sects
should be justly represented in the cabinet. However, Lebanese
government agreed to turn over case files on the murder to UN court
in the Hague on April 2009, which legitimizes the court according to
many scholars.
Hezbollah also denies any role in the killing by accusing the tribunal
of being an "Israeli project" aimed at undermining the resistance
movement and creating division in the country.
At this point, Erdošan's visit came on the eve of the release of
the tribunal's findings. Concerning the outcomes of the findings,
Erdogan called for national unity to ward off the threat of sectarian
strife by emphasizing that all Lebanese parties should unite and find
solutions to overcome the crisis linked to the UN investigation on
assassination of Hariri. Furthermore, Erdogan indicated Turkey's
willingness to work to preserve the unity of Lebanon as well as
stating that he was also coordinating with Syrian President Bashar
Assad over the situation in the country.
"Lebanon must be free of these pressures... we hope it finds
stability," said the Turkish leader. Hariri, in the same way, said,
"No one will drag us to any strife; we are wise and this country will
continue," Hariri said.
Pointing out the fractions' not being able to find a common ground,
"Whenever the Lebanese take steps in the development field, there
is intervention to obstruct this development. We must not allow such
intervention," he said.
Strengthening of the Turkish-Lebanese Relations
Erdogan also to Kwashra town and met with Turkmen residents. In
Kwashra, the Turkish PM said that Turkey and Lebanon will take steps to
further strengthen their political and economic relations. "History
has dictated on us brotherhood as peoples of this region. No one
will ever be able to undermine this brotherhood and friendship or
sow strife among us," he indicated.
Concerning the establishment of a Turkish-financed school, Hariri
stated, "this is a big signal reflecting Turkey's interest in Lebanon
and your continuous care for this town and the deprived people who
always need the best level of care and attention."
Turkey and Lebanon signed a free trade agreement after an accord
was reached earlier this year on establishing a free trade zone
that also included Jordan and Syria, which is one step further to
the establishment of a regional free trade zone. Hariri underlined
the importance of agreements signed between Turkey and Lebanon, and
noted that the agreement they signed was very important for Lebanese
industrialists.
Need for a Change in Israeli Stance
After many of his harsh criticisms towards Israel concerning the recent
issues, Erdogan warned the country against launching a new war in the
region and added that Israeli citizens would also suffer from this war.
"The government of Israel must realize that when security and peace are
established in the region, Israel itself will also benefit from this,"
Erdogan stated. The Turkish PM appealed to the Israeli government to
back off from its mistakes, apologize and work for peace and welfare of
the region besides calling on Israel to stop its provocative actions.
Hariri also said that he attached importance to the efforts extended
by Turkey for the stability of the world and the region, and reminded
that Turkey opposed to the attack of Israel on his country in 2006.
Armenians' Protest against Erdogan
Lebanon has an Armenian community with a population of 140,000 -nearly
%4 of the whole population-. More than 100 members of Lebanon's
Armenian community gathered outside international airport of Beirut
to protest Erdogan's visit.
The protesters carried banners saying: "The Lebanese have not forgotten
Turkey's bloody history in the region" and "Erdogan should bow before
our martyrs."
Turkey's Influence on Lebanon
It is known that Syria and Saudi Arabia have a considerable effect
on the country, both of which has an influence over a fraction
in Lebanon. Economic aids of these countries also make Lebanon's
decision making mechanism highly dependent on these countries. This
impact on Lebanon can be called as the "patronage effect" of Syria
and Saudi Arabia.
Compared to these two countries, Turkey does not have such a "patronage
effect" on the country. However, accompanied with its soft power and
public support, Turkey seems to be capable of influencing the regional
countries including Lebanon. Specifically, Turkey can be influencial
in easing the tensions in the country.
It is believed that the visit will have a positive impact on the
Lebanese toward consolidating cooperation, solidarity and national
unity and will help in efforts to defuse political tensions in
Lebanon. It is obvious that Lebanon considered Turkey a friendly
country. The Lebanese people's attitude towards Erdošan's visit
and rapidly developing relations between Turkey and Lebanon are the
concrete proofs of the sincere relations and trust to Turkey. All
these, as well as the conjectural conditions, promote Turkey's
stabilizing regional role.
In this respect, Israel can be regarded as the only issue on which all
the Arab nations agree. Therefore, following Turkey's changing stance
towards Gaza Operation and Mavi Marmara flotilla incident, besides
many similar issues, also increases the support towards Turkey. Yet,
Turkey should also be aware that this positive attitude towards Turkey
can easily change with a possible negative development as it changed
into a positive stance in a short time span.
From: A. Papazian
By Gamze Coskun
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Nov 26 2010
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan began a two-day official visit to
Lebanon on November 24, 2010. Lebanese people greeted Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beirut with Turkish flags and posters
of Erdogan, which said welcome in Turkish.
Erdogan attracted the attentions in Turkish media with his enthusiastic
speeches during his visit. The Turkish PM touched upon many serious
issues both in the country and the region.
Special Tribunal on Lebanon
Lebanon is at the edge of a crisis concerning the UN-backed inquiry
into the killing of Rafiq al-Hariri in 2005. The tribunal plans to
issue an indictment in December. Additionally, it was claimed by CBC
News, formerly by Der Spiegel, that the Lebanese Shiite organization
Hezbollah (Party of God) was behind murder of Hariri according to the
investigations by the tribunal. However, Hezbullah denies any sorts
of involvement into the assassination.
Commentators and Hezbollah state that any crisis or violent actions
may occur in case of an indictment against Hezbollah. There is anger
and suspicion against the work of the tribunal as it may accelerate
the hostilities between rival Shiite and Sunni Muslims in the country.
What is more, many believe that impartial conclusions cannot be
reached via this tribunal.
Additionally, Hezbollah argues that the tribunal is illegal as
Lebanon's cabinet approved it in 2006 after the resignation of five
Shiite ministers. Accordingly, Hezbollah justifies its claim by
indicating that the Lebanese constitution requires that all sects
should be justly represented in the cabinet. However, Lebanese
government agreed to turn over case files on the murder to UN court
in the Hague on April 2009, which legitimizes the court according to
many scholars.
Hezbollah also denies any role in the killing by accusing the tribunal
of being an "Israeli project" aimed at undermining the resistance
movement and creating division in the country.
At this point, Erdošan's visit came on the eve of the release of
the tribunal's findings. Concerning the outcomes of the findings,
Erdogan called for national unity to ward off the threat of sectarian
strife by emphasizing that all Lebanese parties should unite and find
solutions to overcome the crisis linked to the UN investigation on
assassination of Hariri. Furthermore, Erdogan indicated Turkey's
willingness to work to preserve the unity of Lebanon as well as
stating that he was also coordinating with Syrian President Bashar
Assad over the situation in the country.
"Lebanon must be free of these pressures... we hope it finds
stability," said the Turkish leader. Hariri, in the same way, said,
"No one will drag us to any strife; we are wise and this country will
continue," Hariri said.
Pointing out the fractions' not being able to find a common ground,
"Whenever the Lebanese take steps in the development field, there
is intervention to obstruct this development. We must not allow such
intervention," he said.
Strengthening of the Turkish-Lebanese Relations
Erdogan also to Kwashra town and met with Turkmen residents. In
Kwashra, the Turkish PM said that Turkey and Lebanon will take steps to
further strengthen their political and economic relations. "History
has dictated on us brotherhood as peoples of this region. No one
will ever be able to undermine this brotherhood and friendship or
sow strife among us," he indicated.
Concerning the establishment of a Turkish-financed school, Hariri
stated, "this is a big signal reflecting Turkey's interest in Lebanon
and your continuous care for this town and the deprived people who
always need the best level of care and attention."
Turkey and Lebanon signed a free trade agreement after an accord
was reached earlier this year on establishing a free trade zone
that also included Jordan and Syria, which is one step further to
the establishment of a regional free trade zone. Hariri underlined
the importance of agreements signed between Turkey and Lebanon, and
noted that the agreement they signed was very important for Lebanese
industrialists.
Need for a Change in Israeli Stance
After many of his harsh criticisms towards Israel concerning the recent
issues, Erdogan warned the country against launching a new war in the
region and added that Israeli citizens would also suffer from this war.
"The government of Israel must realize that when security and peace are
established in the region, Israel itself will also benefit from this,"
Erdogan stated. The Turkish PM appealed to the Israeli government to
back off from its mistakes, apologize and work for peace and welfare of
the region besides calling on Israel to stop its provocative actions.
Hariri also said that he attached importance to the efforts extended
by Turkey for the stability of the world and the region, and reminded
that Turkey opposed to the attack of Israel on his country in 2006.
Armenians' Protest against Erdogan
Lebanon has an Armenian community with a population of 140,000 -nearly
%4 of the whole population-. More than 100 members of Lebanon's
Armenian community gathered outside international airport of Beirut
to protest Erdogan's visit.
The protesters carried banners saying: "The Lebanese have not forgotten
Turkey's bloody history in the region" and "Erdogan should bow before
our martyrs."
Turkey's Influence on Lebanon
It is known that Syria and Saudi Arabia have a considerable effect
on the country, both of which has an influence over a fraction
in Lebanon. Economic aids of these countries also make Lebanon's
decision making mechanism highly dependent on these countries. This
impact on Lebanon can be called as the "patronage effect" of Syria
and Saudi Arabia.
Compared to these two countries, Turkey does not have such a "patronage
effect" on the country. However, accompanied with its soft power and
public support, Turkey seems to be capable of influencing the regional
countries including Lebanon. Specifically, Turkey can be influencial
in easing the tensions in the country.
It is believed that the visit will have a positive impact on the
Lebanese toward consolidating cooperation, solidarity and national
unity and will help in efforts to defuse political tensions in
Lebanon. It is obvious that Lebanon considered Turkey a friendly
country. The Lebanese people's attitude towards Erdošan's visit
and rapidly developing relations between Turkey and Lebanon are the
concrete proofs of the sincere relations and trust to Turkey. All
these, as well as the conjectural conditions, promote Turkey's
stabilizing regional role.
In this respect, Israel can be regarded as the only issue on which all
the Arab nations agree. Therefore, following Turkey's changing stance
towards Gaza Operation and Mavi Marmara flotilla incident, besides
many similar issues, also increases the support towards Turkey. Yet,
Turkey should also be aware that this positive attitude towards Turkey
can easily change with a possible negative development as it changed
into a positive stance in a short time span.
From: A. Papazian