Iraq, Government, Troops, Gülen…
Last Sunday's elections in Iraq might be viewed as a milestone after the ouster of the Saddam regime.
The situation about the uncertainty in Iraq and the so-called dwindling of Turkey's concerns has not changed. On the contrary, harsh criticisms of the U. S. by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul are serious signs of the increasing problems in both the region and in Turkish-American relations. Let's draw attention to the warnings Erdogan made on Tuesday at the Justice and Development Party (AKP) meeting in Parliament while evaluating the Iraqi elections to stress the severity of the issue: "I want to say regretfully that the forces which are obliged to maintain order in Iraq have not shown the required sensitivity towards some developments that our nation views with a great sadness." He continued: "Forces claiming that they had come to the region with the intention of bringing democracy, unfortunately have preferred to remain insensitive towards anti-democratic desires." He added: "Everyone should understand this very well, Turkey will not allow the region in which it is bound not only by historical ties but through kinship, to enter into turmoil that will continue for many years. Any step taken without considering Turkey's jurisprudence will result in nothing other than expanding the fire in the region. A disorder experienced there is our disorder. Nobody has the right to disturb us."
As it is observed, the prime minister aims directly at the United States. This is the government's new style in Turkish-American relations. Of course, the reason of this discomfort is the calculations made by Kurdish groups to seize Kerkuk (Kirkuk) without caring Turkey's concerns, and hence, gaining 40 percent of Iraqi oil. What bothers Turkey the most is the untrustworthy attitude of the Kurdish groups, and their supporter the U. S. administration, towards Turkey. Kurdish leaders talk about independence and Kirkuk being a Kurdish province at any given opportunity, and when Turkey raises its voice, they reduce their demands saying: "No, we did not mean it. We support Iraqi territorial integrity. We want the Brussels model for Kirkuk." Right after that, the U. S. spokespeople try to calm Turks and dismiss the issue lightly, saying, "Don't mind the Kurds."
Ankara rightfully thinks that it is being deceived and put off and a secret desire is being realized step by step. Despite the insistent demands of the government, the U.S administration's ambigious attitudes are gradually causing concerns. Of course, the question to be asked here is: Well, how will Turkey realize Erdogan's warning, that is, "we will not allow this"? Then, will we intervene militarily? Will we enter Kirkuk? The attitudes of the soldiers also become significant here. The Turkish Armed Forces is under the prime minister, however, Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug made statements in his news conference last week as if he was making announcements on behalf of the government. After reproaching the United States, he added, "But Turkish-American relations are very comprehensive and cannot be based on a single issue." In other words, he spoke in a very soft style and very cautiously against Washington. This style and the government's style are different. When the Iraq motion was rejected in the Turkish Parliament on March 1, 2003, the U. S. administration had blamed the armed forces not the government. Is swapping places an issue? If so, did the government think about this dimension?
There is an interesting part in Mehmet Gundem's interview with the Esteemed Fethullah Gülen that was published in daily Milliyet. Gundem asks: "Can't Turkey be effective in the region through its military might?" The Esteemed Gülen answers: "If Turkey enters there as a military power, it will disturb different elements and will take the Middle Eastern people to the opposite direction. This might damage Turkey's "subconscious communitaire" and its credibility that I also personally see as a great capital; however, this wealth should not be destroyed. Turkey should use it to develop the Middle East in future." (January 12, 2005, Milliyet). Getting prepared for negotiations on the European Union (EU) membership process, Turkey has entered a really troublesome period because of its relations with the United States as well as the Iraq and Cyprus issues.
ZAMAN
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