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WHAT IS WRONG WITH IRAN?
by ABDULHAMÄ°T BÄ°LÄ°CÄ
Today's Zaman
Sept 27 2011
Turkey
If I had not witnessed Turkey's struggle to protect Iran's rights in
dealing with its NATO allies, including the US, regarding the recent
missile shield issue, I could have found the recent accusations from
Tehran justifiable. But like everyone else who has been following
foreign policy matters, Iran is also aware that on its way to the
NATO summit in Lisbon, the radar issue was the most difficult one
for Turkey.
In fact, this missile defense system is something that Turkey needs
for its own self-defense. Turkey could have complied entirely with the
original NATO proposal, but did not. The issue was discussed within
the framework of NATO's new strategic concept, and Turkey has been
negotiating changes to this concept for months, even though that could
have created tension with its allies. Because I personally attended
the critical summit held in Lisbon along with President Abdullah Gul,
I am familiar with Turkey's theses, arguments and efforts.
At every opportunity, Turkey stressed that the new NATO strategy
should not effectively divide the world or this region into camps
of foes and friends. For this reason, it did not want to include a
reference to any country as an enemy in the documents. In an attempt
not to disturb Iran, with which Turkey has been trying to maintain firm
ties, Turkey also unilaterally defended some thorny issues against
the whole alliance. For instance, it asked that the radar system be
designated in such a way that it would be controlled by NATO, not
the US, so that Turkey would have a say in its implementation and
control. Another condition Turkey insisted upon was that the data to
be collected by the system would not be forwarded to non-NATO countries
(referring to Israel).
This struggle, which Turkey carried out despite the fact that
it would bear the risk of confirming the West's suspicions of the
Justice and Development Party (AK Party), worked out in the end. The
missile defense system was formulated as part of NATO. The strategic
document does not make any reference to Iran, despite the desires of
some European powers which have firm commercial ties with Tehran.
On the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which have inflicted fear and
intimidation on the region and occupied the global agenda, Turkey has
extended support to Tehran by making big sacrifices. The negotiation
process on Tehran's nuclear program, which Turkey initiated, together
with Brazil, at a point when even Iran's allies China and Russia had
turned their backs on Tehran, had no other objective but to support
Iran. And at the Security Council meeting held right after the nuclear
swap deal, Turkey voted against the bill imposing sanctions against
Iran despite the risk of confrontation with its allies.
For some time, Iran, which should be grateful for Turkey's efforts in
the face of these realities and facts, has been making threatening
statements about the radar issue. First, the Iranian Foreign
Minister Ali Akbar Salihi, noting that his country is worried about
the installation of the anti-missile shield system in Turkey, asked
Turkey to review the decision. It was interesting that Salihi made this
statement while he was meeting with his Armenian counterpart Edward
Nalbandyan in Tehran. Subsequent to this statement, more recently,
Mohammad Kowsari, a member of an Iranian parliamentary commission on
national security and foreign policy, described the decision as a big
strategic mistake and representing a double standard. The statement by
Turkish Foreign Ministry, noting that "the radar system is not being
set up against any country; it is being set up for defense purposes,
and is a warning system," did not alter Iran's reaction.
Yes, Iran is an important neighbor for Turkey, with which its borders
have not changed for a few centuries. Our histories are intertwined.
It has a large Turkish population. It is an important energy supplier
for Turkey. Iran is Turkey's way out to Asia whereas Turkey is
Iran's connection with the West. Despite competition in many fields,
improving ties will be helpful to both sides. However, I doubt that
Iran appreciates what Turkey has been doing for the two countries'
mutual discourse on peace in the region. For instance, just like
Iran's nuclear issue, Turkey has a Cyprus problem. However, Turkey
has not seen any gesture on this matter from Iran so far.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended an aÅ~_ure (Noah's
pudding) event held by the Jafaris of Turkey. He paid visit to Sistani
during his official trip to Iraq. But we have not seen these gestures
reflected on the large Sunni population in Iran. Let alone grand
gestures, media reports indicate that leading Iranian Sunnis could not
get a permit to perform their Eid al Fitr prayer in Tehran. The goal
for the creation of commercial ties with Iran is big, but the current
setting does not favor Turkey, and businessmen here believe that Iran
is reluctant to open its market. Despite its Islam-oriented policy,
Iran is closer to Armenia in its Caucasus policy.
Well, these all could be considered normal: States are concerned with
their own interests in foreign policy. But why does a radar system
for defense purposes, revised by Turkey based on Iran's concerns,
bother Iran so much? Its name says it all: It is a defense system. Why
would you react to this if you did not intend aggression? It is in
fact Iran which, in addition to nuclear weapons, has been making
efforts to develop conventional arms, especially mid- and long-range
ballistic missiles.
These include a type of long-range fast ballistic missile called
Shahab. Shahabs are manufactured in three classes (1, 2, 3). The
range of a Shahab 3B is between 2,000 and 2,500 kilometers; this
means that Iranian missiles can reach most parts of the Middle East,
including Turkey. Isn't it strange that Turkey remains silent about
this attempt to build armaments for aggressive purposes, whereas Iran
is disgruntled with a defense radar system? I wish Iran, like Turkey,
had a vision of transforming the region into a basin of peace. But
for this, like Turkey, Iranian internal politics needs normalization.
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=258126
by ABDULHAMÄ°T BÄ°LÄ°CÄ
Today's Zaman
Sept 27 2011
Turkey
If I had not witnessed Turkey's struggle to protect Iran's rights in
dealing with its NATO allies, including the US, regarding the recent
missile shield issue, I could have found the recent accusations from
Tehran justifiable. But like everyone else who has been following
foreign policy matters, Iran is also aware that on its way to the
NATO summit in Lisbon, the radar issue was the most difficult one
for Turkey.
In fact, this missile defense system is something that Turkey needs
for its own self-defense. Turkey could have complied entirely with the
original NATO proposal, but did not. The issue was discussed within
the framework of NATO's new strategic concept, and Turkey has been
negotiating changes to this concept for months, even though that could
have created tension with its allies. Because I personally attended
the critical summit held in Lisbon along with President Abdullah Gul,
I am familiar with Turkey's theses, arguments and efforts.
At every opportunity, Turkey stressed that the new NATO strategy
should not effectively divide the world or this region into camps
of foes and friends. For this reason, it did not want to include a
reference to any country as an enemy in the documents. In an attempt
not to disturb Iran, with which Turkey has been trying to maintain firm
ties, Turkey also unilaterally defended some thorny issues against
the whole alliance. For instance, it asked that the radar system be
designated in such a way that it would be controlled by NATO, not
the US, so that Turkey would have a say in its implementation and
control. Another condition Turkey insisted upon was that the data to
be collected by the system would not be forwarded to non-NATO countries
(referring to Israel).
This struggle, which Turkey carried out despite the fact that
it would bear the risk of confirming the West's suspicions of the
Justice and Development Party (AK Party), worked out in the end. The
missile defense system was formulated as part of NATO. The strategic
document does not make any reference to Iran, despite the desires of
some European powers which have firm commercial ties with Tehran.
On the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions, which have inflicted fear and
intimidation on the region and occupied the global agenda, Turkey has
extended support to Tehran by making big sacrifices. The negotiation
process on Tehran's nuclear program, which Turkey initiated, together
with Brazil, at a point when even Iran's allies China and Russia had
turned their backs on Tehran, had no other objective but to support
Iran. And at the Security Council meeting held right after the nuclear
swap deal, Turkey voted against the bill imposing sanctions against
Iran despite the risk of confrontation with its allies.
For some time, Iran, which should be grateful for Turkey's efforts in
the face of these realities and facts, has been making threatening
statements about the radar issue. First, the Iranian Foreign
Minister Ali Akbar Salihi, noting that his country is worried about
the installation of the anti-missile shield system in Turkey, asked
Turkey to review the decision. It was interesting that Salihi made this
statement while he was meeting with his Armenian counterpart Edward
Nalbandyan in Tehran. Subsequent to this statement, more recently,
Mohammad Kowsari, a member of an Iranian parliamentary commission on
national security and foreign policy, described the decision as a big
strategic mistake and representing a double standard. The statement by
Turkish Foreign Ministry, noting that "the radar system is not being
set up against any country; it is being set up for defense purposes,
and is a warning system," did not alter Iran's reaction.
Yes, Iran is an important neighbor for Turkey, with which its borders
have not changed for a few centuries. Our histories are intertwined.
It has a large Turkish population. It is an important energy supplier
for Turkey. Iran is Turkey's way out to Asia whereas Turkey is
Iran's connection with the West. Despite competition in many fields,
improving ties will be helpful to both sides. However, I doubt that
Iran appreciates what Turkey has been doing for the two countries'
mutual discourse on peace in the region. For instance, just like
Iran's nuclear issue, Turkey has a Cyprus problem. However, Turkey
has not seen any gesture on this matter from Iran so far.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended an aÅ~_ure (Noah's
pudding) event held by the Jafaris of Turkey. He paid visit to Sistani
during his official trip to Iraq. But we have not seen these gestures
reflected on the large Sunni population in Iran. Let alone grand
gestures, media reports indicate that leading Iranian Sunnis could not
get a permit to perform their Eid al Fitr prayer in Tehran. The goal
for the creation of commercial ties with Iran is big, but the current
setting does not favor Turkey, and businessmen here believe that Iran
is reluctant to open its market. Despite its Islam-oriented policy,
Iran is closer to Armenia in its Caucasus policy.
Well, these all could be considered normal: States are concerned with
their own interests in foreign policy. But why does a radar system
for defense purposes, revised by Turkey based on Iran's concerns,
bother Iran so much? Its name says it all: It is a defense system. Why
would you react to this if you did not intend aggression? It is in
fact Iran which, in addition to nuclear weapons, has been making
efforts to develop conventional arms, especially mid- and long-range
ballistic missiles.
These include a type of long-range fast ballistic missile called
Shahab. Shahabs are manufactured in three classes (1, 2, 3). The
range of a Shahab 3B is between 2,000 and 2,500 kilometers; this
means that Iranian missiles can reach most parts of the Middle East,
including Turkey. Isn't it strange that Turkey remains silent about
this attempt to build armaments for aggressive purposes, whereas Iran
is disgruntled with a defense radar system? I wish Iran, like Turkey,
had a vision of transforming the region into a basin of peace. But
for this, like Turkey, Iranian internal politics needs normalization.
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnistDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=258126