Saudi Gazette
March 6 2010

US-Turkey ties at risk over `genocide’ label

By Zerin Elci and Ibon Villelabeitia

NATO member Turkey recalled its ambassador to the United States for
consultations after a vote in a US congressional committee Thursday
branded the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide.

In a statement, Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also said he
was seriously concerned that the non-binding resolution would harm
Turkish-US ties and efforts by Turkey and Armenia to bury a century of
hostility.

Washington regards Turkey, a Muslim but secular democracy which
aspires to join the European Union, as an ally whose help it needs to
solve conflicts from Iran to Afghanistan to the Middle East.

What will Turkey do next?

l In 2007, Ankara recalled its ambassador after a US panel approved a
similar bill. Turkey reacted angrily, suggesting trade, defense and
other ties might be affected. Then-president George W. Bush warned
against passage, and the measure never came to a vote on the House
floor. The ambassador returned to his post after one week.

l Ankara had launched a diplomatic offensive to block the bill.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara hours before
the vote: `We are at a stage when US-Turkish ties need maximum
cooperation. Everybody should consider the importance of US-Turkish
relations for regional and global stability.’

Will it affect the Middle East?

l Erdogan said the bill might harm Turkey-US ties, but did not give
any details. President Abdullah Gul said Turkey should not be held
responsible for any negative consequences, but did not elaborate.

l Commentators had said the bill could affect Washington’s use of the
Incirlik Air base in southeast Turkey. Incirlik is vital in logistical
support for US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkey is a
transit route for US troops going to and from Iraq, and has 1,700
non-combat troops in Afghanistan.

l Ankara has played a key role in Obama’s strategy to get Afghanistan
and Pakistan to work together in fighting Al-Qaeda and Taliban
militants in their borders. Turkey has hosted high-level talks between
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
l Turkey, which has boosted ties with its Muslim neighbors, is a major
player in US-backed Arab-Israeli peacemaking and has mediated in
indirect talks between Syria and the Israelis.

l Ankara has offered to use its close ties with Iran to help solve a
dispute between global powers and Tehran over its nuclear programme.
The United States, France and other Western powers are preparing a
plan for a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear
program. ` Reuters

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