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Today's Zaman, Turkey
Feb 9 2007
It was all about Iraq... sort of
by Ali Aslan
In a capital that sleeps and wakes up with Iraq, what else could be
the main topic of discussion with a distinguished visitor from the
immediate neighborhood of Iraq?
The US and Turkey cooperate and consult one another on a wide range
of issues listed in the Strategic Partnership Document. But Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's Washington visit was mainly about
Iraq.
Turkey's fight against the PKK was a subset of the Iraq discussion.
Even the prospects of an Armenian genocide resolution, another
primary Turkish concern, is linked to Iraq because both
administrations know that US-Turkish collaboration in Iraq would
suffer a severe blow if the US Congress approved it.
It is hard to think of a country in the region that the US cooperates
more with on so many topics, ranging from the Balkans to Central
Asia. But Gul was not shy when he linked Turkey's continued
contribution -- particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan -- to the
rejection of the genocide resolution. It sounded more like a
prediction than a threat.
Cognizant of the strategic significance of Turkey, the Bush
administration has treated their Turkish guests with the utmost care.
Gul was granted a meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, and a rare
half hour one-on-one session was held with Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice. High*profile think tank members, prominent
journalists like New York Times correspondent Thomas Friedman and
many international policy experts joined the occasions at Gul's
hotel.
Perhaps the only place that lacked hospitality were the chambers of
the US Congressö poisoned by Armenian genocide lobbyists.
Unfortunately, as Democrats are challenging the Bush administration's
Iraq policy and trying to prove themselves a more constructive force
in foreign affairs, some of their most influential members, like
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are preparing to intimidate a crucial
ally.
Republicans made a grave mistake when they tried bringing democracy
and self-criticism to the Islamic world by military force. Democrats
are near to committing a similar mistake by trying to mature Turkey's
self-criticism of its history via legislative force. As was the case
of Iraq, any push in the absence of a prerequisite social,
intellectual and economic infrastructure would not yield a desired
change in Turkey.
The natural consequence of any foreign military intervention and
pressure in a country is increasing nationalism. Please see figure A
in Iraq. The effects of foreign legislative intervention and pressure
could be similar. Since there was suppressed ethnic and religious
identity in Iraq, sectarian uprisings provoked the by the US
occupation have now brought the country to the verge of fracture.
In the case of Turkey, which is also a relatively mixed and diverse
country, one can see increased nationalism might break up the
country's culture of living together. In addition, crazy people under
the influence of nationalism could attack minorities, as has already
happened with Hrant Dink. As if domestic factors for ultranationalist
tendencies weren't enough, irresponsible actions on the part of
foreign elements give extremists extra ammunition.
Americans are right when they say Dink's assassination didn't really
help "Turkishness," but hurt it. Similarly, a political assassination
against Turkey by semi-official recognition of a historically
disputed genocide would not help "Armenian-ness" at all. That is
certainly the case with "American-ness," too.
When Gul was arguing against the resolution in Washington, he said
this was not an American matter. Indeed, neither Americans nor
Armenians nor Turks would benefit from increased nationalism. How can
the US and Armenia expect a meaningful outreach from Turkey if they
follow the path of provocation? I believe it this resolution passes,
it will be politically impossible for any government in Turkey to
strike a reconciliation deal with Armenia in the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, America's executive branch was smart enough to realize
that. The indications so far are that they are going to push hard
against it. We only hope the US Congress does not trade vital
American national interests with some misguided convictions and soft
money.
Feb 9 2007
It was all about Iraq... sort of
by Ali Aslan
In a capital that sleeps and wakes up with Iraq, what else could be
the main topic of discussion with a distinguished visitor from the
immediate neighborhood of Iraq?
The US and Turkey cooperate and consult one another on a wide range
of issues listed in the Strategic Partnership Document. But Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's Washington visit was mainly about
Iraq.
Turkey's fight against the PKK was a subset of the Iraq discussion.
Even the prospects of an Armenian genocide resolution, another
primary Turkish concern, is linked to Iraq because both
administrations know that US-Turkish collaboration in Iraq would
suffer a severe blow if the US Congress approved it.
It is hard to think of a country in the region that the US cooperates
more with on so many topics, ranging from the Balkans to Central
Asia. But Gul was not shy when he linked Turkey's continued
contribution -- particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan -- to the
rejection of the genocide resolution. It sounded more like a
prediction than a threat.
Cognizant of the strategic significance of Turkey, the Bush
administration has treated their Turkish guests with the utmost care.
Gul was granted a meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, and a rare
half hour one-on-one session was held with Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice. High*profile think tank members, prominent
journalists like New York Times correspondent Thomas Friedman and
many international policy experts joined the occasions at Gul's
hotel.
Perhaps the only place that lacked hospitality were the chambers of
the US Congressö poisoned by Armenian genocide lobbyists.
Unfortunately, as Democrats are challenging the Bush administration's
Iraq policy and trying to prove themselves a more constructive force
in foreign affairs, some of their most influential members, like
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are preparing to intimidate a crucial
ally.
Republicans made a grave mistake when they tried bringing democracy
and self-criticism to the Islamic world by military force. Democrats
are near to committing a similar mistake by trying to mature Turkey's
self-criticism of its history via legislative force. As was the case
of Iraq, any push in the absence of a prerequisite social,
intellectual and economic infrastructure would not yield a desired
change in Turkey.
The natural consequence of any foreign military intervention and
pressure in a country is increasing nationalism. Please see figure A
in Iraq. The effects of foreign legislative intervention and pressure
could be similar. Since there was suppressed ethnic and religious
identity in Iraq, sectarian uprisings provoked the by the US
occupation have now brought the country to the verge of fracture.
In the case of Turkey, which is also a relatively mixed and diverse
country, one can see increased nationalism might break up the
country's culture of living together. In addition, crazy people under
the influence of nationalism could attack minorities, as has already
happened with Hrant Dink. As if domestic factors for ultranationalist
tendencies weren't enough, irresponsible actions on the part of
foreign elements give extremists extra ammunition.
Americans are right when they say Dink's assassination didn't really
help "Turkishness," but hurt it. Similarly, a political assassination
against Turkey by semi-official recognition of a historically
disputed genocide would not help "Armenian-ness" at all. That is
certainly the case with "American-ness," too.
When Gul was arguing against the resolution in Washington, he said
this was not an American matter. Indeed, neither Americans nor
Armenians nor Turks would benefit from increased nationalism. How can
the US and Armenia expect a meaningful outreach from Turkey if they
follow the path of provocation? I believe it this resolution passes,
it will be politically impossible for any government in Turkey to
strike a reconciliation deal with Armenia in the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, America's executive branch was smart enough to realize
that. The indications so far are that they are going to push hard
against it. We only hope the US Congress does not trade vital
American national interests with some misguided convictions and soft
money.