TURKEY NOT TO GREET BUSH BACK

Azg/Arm
6 Nov 04

President George W. Bush’s re-election hit the headlines of the world
press. Europe’s estimation of Bush’s re-election was concentrated in
President Jacque Shirak’s words who said: “We don’t think that Kerry’s
election would bring considerable changes, Bush simply is the evil we
know”.

Headlines of most of the European newspapers sounded likewise: “Time
to Worry”, “Bush: God Will Help”, “Americans, What Have You Done?”

The Berliner Currier commented on the elections: “Bush lied to the
world. This cowboy is dangerous for the world. Who is next after
Iraq? Iran or Syria? Europe should keep on the alert.” Another German
newspaper, Der Tagesspiegel writes: “US election is a good lesson for
Europe. European governments should understand that United States is
completely a different country, essentially diverse from
Europe. That’s why we must get ready for trials and get armed”.

The Arabian printed media labeled Bush’s re-election as a
nightmare. An article entitled “Clouds Getting Over the Region”
expresses concern that the Iraqi war may fling in Sudan, Iran and
Syria. Newspapers of Kenya followed Arabian press’ example.

In today’s situation the possible resignation of Colin Powell and
Donald Rumsfeld would not bring change. Guardian confirmed the
supposition about possible shifts in Bush’s administration and even
noted that President Bush is going to appoint National Security
Advisor Condoleezza Rice as a Secretary of State and deputy Secretary
of Defense Paul Wolfowitz as a Secretary of Defense.

This staff shifts in US leadership can only mean that America’s
heavy-handed policy in the region will turn even heavier but will not
change the situation there. Yet, Turkish Prime Minister Racep Tayyip
Erdogan in his congratulation speech to President Bush expressed hope
that the results of the US elections will contribute to the
development of the human race and to establishing peace in the
world. Foreign minister Abdullah Gul echoed from Lisboan: “President
Bush won a clear victory in elections. I am sure that he will
reconsider US foreign policy especially in Iraq and Palestine. I
believe that he has to review everything as his tenure has just set
off”.

Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sezer also congratulated Bush on
November 4. We don’t know what he said, but it is clear that the
staff shifts in Bush’s administration justify neither Erdogan’s hopes
nor go in line with Gul’s expectations. As Erdogan and Gul should have
been well informed about the shifts in Bush’s administration we may
conclude that they foresaw possible exasperation in US Middle East
policy.

In case the US policy results in new wars in the region, America will
face new difficulties. In its search for ways out of the crises
America will deliberately turn to Turkey for help.

Turkey’s possible involvement in US’s Middle East policy will give the
chance to intervene in negative and positive developments in the
region. Involvement in regional developments, no matter negative or
positive, is preferable for Turkey because in case it drops out of the
Middle East policy isolation will be inevitable.

By Hakob Chakrian