EYES TURN TO ERDOGAN AT WASHINGTON SUMMIT
Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 12 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – When this many leaders of different countries come
together and the subject is nuclear power, eyes automatically turn
to Iran.
The Tehran administration is not present at this event. It has arranged
its own summit, but the pulse beats in Washington.
The Obama administration wants during this summit to stop Iran’s
nuclear politics, or at least create a coalition to slow the course.
But once you gather such a summit, every subject comes up. Again we
face such a situation. Washington is like a hot spot. And one of the
most sought-after among the participants is Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The reasons are simple:
– The first thing that comes to mind when talking about Iran is
Turkey. Ankara’s relationship with the Iranian administration is very
vital for Washington, but also full of questions. That is why people
wonder what Erdogan will say or what kind of attitude he will take on.
– One other thing that makes Erdogan’s presence here very interesting
is the aftermath of the signed Turkey-Armenia protocols. Obama does
not want to cancel the protocols. These documents are perceived as the
start of a historical agreement. They believe that Turkey is the one
spoiling the game. Will there be a way out, or will steps be taken in
the dark? We will find out soon. In this respect, Erdogan’s contacts
will be very important.
– One other subject to be argued about will be the progressing
fight over statements. Erdogan targets the Netanyahu-Lieberman
coalition and hits using each opportunity. The obligation to respond
rests on Lieberman’s shoulders. The Turkish prime minister has
two advantages here. One is that the Netanyahu government is not
supported internationally, including in Washington, in its politics
regarding Palestine. Especially Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman
is not supported.
Of course, all these issues will not be able to be solved in two days.
However, it is a good thing Turkey is represented at the Prime
Ministry level. If Erdogan had not participated, Turkey would have
been represented on a Foreign Ministry level and we would have been
the ones to lose.
Opening fronts means increased need for Obama
One of the basic principles in politics is to avoid taking on too
many fronts. Politicians take care not to deliver a war on too many
different fronts because each takes up the entire energy of the leader
and its party. It constrains the staff and people.
But Prime Minister Erdogan does not adapt to this approach. On the
contrary, he delivers fights on different fronts.
Take a look at how many fronts he is fighting on:
– He started off with brisk criticism toward the Dogan Media Group
and appeared before us as a prime minister who challenged the media
that criticized him or opposed his view.
– With the Kurdish initiative, he faced the opposition of nationalistic
crowds as well as the political opposition. And as the initiative
came to a halt after a time, due to different reasons, he also lost
the sympathy of the Kurds.
– With the Armenian initiative, he again faced the opposition of
nationalistic crowds and the opposition as well as Azerbaijan. He
started to experience tension with Washington.
– No one was satisfied with the Alevi initiative.
– First with the Ergenekon and Sledgehammer operations, then with
decisions regarding military personnel and span of command, he faced
opposition by the Turkish Armed Forces.
– He adopted a brisk attitude against Israel’s Netanyahu-Lieberman
coalition and took on a front never seen before.
– He did not join the politics of the Western world, foremost including
the United States, regarding Iran’s nuclear politics. He sympathized
with Tehran and attracted reactions.
– With the proposed constitutional amendments package, he faced
opposition by the judiciary and strengthened the opposition.
– He blamed the European Union for applying a double standard on
Turkey in blocking the process to a full membership.
On these fronts, he was considered right in some respects and wrong
in others. Some of his attitudes were applauded and some encountered
brisk reactions.
But no matter what, all fronts have battered and bruised the ruling
party to some extent, exhausted the public and pestered the life out
of people.
The question asked in Washington by those who follow Turkey closely
has changed color. It now reads: Will the Justice and Development
Party, or AKP, depend on Obama’s support to secure itself on some of
the many fronts that the AKP has taken on?
Turkey is on U.S. President Barack Obama’s agenda, but it is not
known what Erdogan will have in his pocket when he arrives. People
put that forth in order for Ankara to take a deep breath; it needs
Washington’s support.