SC MEMBERSHIP, POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AHEAD

Hurriyet
Nov 14 2008
Turkey

Congratulations on our temporary membership to the United Nations
Security Council!

Sometimes we exaggerate things to such an extent they get out of
control. The United Nations Security Council temporary membership
is one such example. This news caused the whole country to
exalt. We hugged and congratulated each other on this unbelievable
achievement! As if that was not enough, the international public was
aroused and got in line to congratulate Turkey on its big triumph. The
prime minister was hosted in New York’s most famous restaurant,
everyone no matter whether their vote was for or against Turkey
applauded. Expenses were on the company.

If we are unable to slow down, we will pronounce that the world is
bowing before us.

A temporary membership to the Security Council is a nice thing but this
event needs to be kept within realistic dimensions. It would be nice
if we did not act as if we were pronouncing victory at Canakkale,
for there are two sides to the coin, and if we are not careful,
Ankara could encounter a lot of problems. Let us put exaggerated
celebrations to one side and look at the other side of the coin. Let
us have a look at problems we should expect.

First idea emerged in 2003 by two diplomats This idea was first brought
up in 2003 by Altay Cengizer, a permanent deputy representative of the
United Nations. Our permanent representative in New York, Umit Pamir,
saw the timing as perfect and sent a telegraph to then minister of
foreign affairs, Abdullah Gul.

Steps taken by the AKP with regard to Cyprus and the European
Community, despite the AKP breaking taboos as a pious party struggling
to integrate with the western world, were very effective during
that period.

The telegraph with ambassador Umit Pamir’s proposal caused Minister of
Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul to give the order to activate all required
mechanisms. That day is today, Gul foremost, the staff of foreign
affairs and the Prime Ministry have put in a lot of effort. For five
years meetings were held. In the meantime, Turkey’s contribution to
peace in the Middle East, the president’s visit to Armenia and the role
played during the Georgian war directly influenced the positive result.

Turkey finally made it. Turkey has been elected as a temporary member
to the United Nations Security Council for two years. It will share
this duty with Austria. Now preparations for the celebration have
started. Yet we should put bragging to one side and start planning
what is necessary to act out the temporary membership in a decent way.

I talked to diplomats who formerly served as permanent representatives
in New York. I also talked to foreign diplomats who served in the
United Nations Security Council and I can see that Ankara is looking
at difficult times ahead. Upfront, the Turkish delegation consists
of eight to nine people, it needs to be increased to 15 to 20. It is
crucial these carefully chosen diplomats and secretariats be formed by
people who have a command of English and are skilled in foreign policy.

What is more important, is the team needs to be headed by a delegate
trusted by the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, who is
able to act without waiting for authorization from headquarters for
every decision, or whoever it is that is appointed, should receive
the necessary authorization to act. The council’s work is progressing
at a fast pace and because of the time difference, Ankara’s habits
cannot continue. A bureaucracy that waits for confirmation from the
prime minister or who does not act on his own, does not work in New
York. You cannot tell the Security Council to "wait until we ask
the prime minister how to use our vote." The other important problem
is the upcoming conflict with regard to Ankara’s domestic politics,
and policies regarding the United States and European Community.

Turkey’s policies regarding Iran and the United Nations Security
Council’s enforcement preparations, are in conflict. What will Ankara
do when an enforcement decision leads to a poll? Will it support Tehran
or the U.S.-EU bloc? How will we use our vote in developments regarding
Russia-Georgia, or Sudan, or the Middle East? These possibilities
need to be taken into account, so our politics that do not match
other members of the Security Council, can be identified and a way
can be sought on how to find mutual ground. In other words, the other
side of the coin brings not only the Canakkale victory but also some
difficulties. The foreign affairs team is strong enough to handle
this. As long as the prime minister does not constantly try to govern
this matter via phone.
From: Baghdasarian