Turkish Press
Aug 27 2004

Turkey: A `mediator’ Country
BYEGM: 8/27/2004
BY ZEYNEP GURCANLI

STAR- Only a few years ago, third countries used to act as mediators
between Turkey and its neighbors to resolve regional problems. For
example, the United States used telephone diplomacy in order to end
the Kardak crisis between Ankara and Athens, and Egypt did the same
to help Ankara and Damascus solve the so-called PKK problem.

Now, however, having managed to overcome its own crises, Turkey
itself is assuming such a role of mediation on the international
stage. Ankara’s only remaining problematic neighbor is Armenia.
Therefore, Turkey is gradually becoming a `mediator’ country in the
region.

The first case is the Arab-Israeli dispute. Ankara doesn’t have any
political problems with the Palestinians. Furthermore, despite the
recent chill between the Erdogan and Sharon governments, our country
doesn’t have any serious problems with Israel either. Ankara recently
announced that it was ready to act as a `facilitator’ in the Middle
East peace process. The Palestinians have immediately accepted
Turkey’s offer, while the Sharon government hasn’t rejected it.

During Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Tbilisi,
Turkey agreed to undertake another mediation role. The Georgian
president asked Erdogan’s help in normalizing his country’s relations
with Russia. Our premier pledged to discuss this issue with Russian
President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to visit Turkey next week.

In addition, a surprising request came from Sudan. Since 2003, Arab
militias have been launching systematic attacks on non-Arab tribes in
the country. Meanwhile, the international community is accusing the
Sudanese administration of turning a blind eye to these attacks and
even supporting these militias for the sake of `assimilating non-Arab
elements.’ Washington branded the incidents a `genocide.’ On his
visit to Ankara last month, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman
Ismael requested that Ankara act as a mediator between his country
and the US. This was also another unexpected request. Turkey then
took actions to help them overcome the crisis.

I believe the number of such cases where Turkey acts as negotiator
will rise in the months to come. Our country, once a party to many
regional crises, is now becoming a `crisis-resolving country’.