THE NAME OF THE ROSE (GUL), THE FLAVOR OF THE RELATIONS
By Ali Aslan
Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 12 2007
Last Monday Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke with US Vice
President Dick Cheney during their meeting at the White House about
how Turkey has turned into an energy corridor and a hub. An expert
on energy issues, Cheney asked Gul to make his presentation over the
map. (Who knows, perhaps he wanted to test his guest.) Gul proceeded
using the map. His success on discussing technical issues like energy,
without reliance on notes, impressed the Americans. They were pleased
to have not only a competent but also common sense, constructive and
cordial counterpart to talk to.
As dictated by nature of diplomacy, one cannot assert all parts of the
discussion in Turkish-American relations are pleasant. There might not
be agreements on all topics. The content, level and sustainability
of the discussion are what should really matter. Such a dialogue
builds mutual trust and solidifies it. It also prevents occasional
and minor disagreements from overshadowing broad-based strategic
alliances. Dialogue with U.S. is gradually becoming to look like this.
The US is seeking dialogue and business partners in Turkey, a
geo-strategically and value-strategically important country located
at a vast and critical region where the US has keen interest. And it
generally finds what it looks for in the Justice and Development Party
(AK Party) administration (at least relatively).
I did not hear anything to the contrary from any U.S. official or
sources close to the Bush administration that I talked to recently.
In private conversations, they do not hide their sympathy and respect
for the Turkish government. And they express similar sentiments in
public to make sure both enemies and friends know it.
Minister Gul’s visit to Washington took place in such a positive
environment. Perhaps the Turkish side put pressure on the Americans
to prevent the adoption of the Armenian genocide resolution and to
ensure that the PKK in northern Iraq would be wiped out. Likewise,
maybe the Americans urged Turkey not to launch a unilateral military
operation in northern Iraq. But I have no doubts the exchange of the
messages between the two parties was made in a friendly manner.
Skeptics may believe that Gul’s remarks, that Turkey’s cooperation
with the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, might be hurt if the Armenian
genocide resolution is adopted, will be perceived as a threat by the
US. However, those who are very well aware of the efforts exerted
by the Erdoðan-led government — particularly by Minister Gul –
to improve bilateral relations with the US will know for sure that
the minister would not have such an intention and that the Americans
would not take it that way. Those who are most concerned with the
possibility of deterioration of the relationship because of the
adoption of the genocide resolution are the ones who are trying to
fix those relations. And Minister Gul and Secretary of State Rice
are at the top of the list.
A provocative move such as the adoption of the Armenian genocide
resolution will increase public pressure on the government to review
its relations with the US ahead of two critical upcoming elections in
a climate where Turkish image of American foreign policy is at it lows
and diehard protective nationalism is on the rise. Considering this
possibility, Gul made a prediction that is shared by the Washington
administration as well. As a result of this mutual understanding,
both administrations agreed to intensify mutual consultations and
consolidate their political influences to prevent the adoption of
the Armenian genocide resolution.
The American administration asked the Turkish side to make a move
towards opening up with Armenia so that it would gain leverage
with the US Congress to prevent the legislative body’s passing the
resolution recognizing the "Armenian genocide." What is certain by
now is that lobbying traffic from both sides will be busy in the
near future. Turkey will also most likely make a contract with
a new lobbying firm. Now there are increased number of people
in Washington who believe that external and internal efforts to
convince the Democratic majority who will have the last word in
the Congress will be fruitful. A prominent American expert told me:
"If you had asked me three months ago, I would say this resolution
would be definitely adopted. But now I am not so sure." Another well
connected friend of mine said this issue would be resolved with 90
percent possibility before April 24. Let us just hope the best…
One of the issues that needs hopefulness the most is the different
approaches adopted vis-a-vis the Kirkuk and PKK in Northern Iraq. I
still do not see the urgency the Turks feel from the Americans.
American efforts are more focused on convincing Turkey to negotiate
with regional Kurdish leaders, and on avoiding impulsive and unilateral
military moves. Ankara is, on the other hand, still complaining.
Leaving those disagreements aside, the views of the parties about the
broad-based consultative agenda outlined in the shared strategic vision
document for the most part overlap. Last week, Assistant Secretary
for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Daniel Sullivan was in
Turkey. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International
Security Bob Joseph and Director of Policy Planning for the State
Department Dr. Stephen Krasner will pay separate visits to Turkey in
the next few weeks.
We hope the chemistry between President Bush and Prime Minister
Erdoðan, the cordial dialogue between Minister Gul and Secretary Rice
and the personal and professional contacts of Chief of General Staff
Gen. Yaþar Buyukanýt in Washington where he will be visiting this week
would all strengthen the immunity system of Turkish-American relations.
–Boundary_(ID_l6VnhbokqHaxqRxI5yyA4w) —
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
