ARTICLE PENNED BY DR ZEYNEL ABIDIN ERDEM PUBLISHED IN “STAR” A TURKISH DAILY NEWSPAPER CIRCULATED ON FEBRUARY 27TH.
SHARP CURVE
The Turkish-American relations have always displayed a mutually safeguarding, honest and outstanding panorama for 70 years within a stable, harmonious, strategic, social, economic and military partnership which has always reminded a smooth-flowing relation between an elder brother and his younger one. Yes, sometimes there were crises. 80% of them was due to some troubles attributable to Greece which tried hard to refute Turkey’s justified arguments and to impress and influence the USA in line with her interests regarding certain issues, such continental shelf, the Cyprus and some other matters. However, these never succeeded in getting the White Hall and Pentagon into taking serious decisions against Turkey and the winner was always Turkey.
Our Enemies add fuel to the flames
The USA has always backed Turkey in both economic and political terms whenever Turkey was in trouble. It supported our accession to the EU as much as Turkish lobby. It was unthinkable to lay down Ceyhan pipeline without the USA’s backing. If it supported the Armenian genocide as was the case with France, we would be in deep water. It was the USA that gave Mr. Turgut Ozal every military support, including missiles, helicopters and aircraft delivery when the Europe was honing its plans to impose arms embargo. 80% of the members of Turkish Armed Forces are being trained in the USA. It is almost the only state that is not jealous of Turkey. But recently Turkey fell into a trap and our enemies did not miss their chances and started to add fuel to the flames. It should be remembered that it was the USA that did the mistake of failing to take into consideration the presence of Turkey into its invasion into Iraq, a neighbor and brother of us, with which we share the unity of religion and blood. The USA could not digest those warning-like comments made by our top politicians for helping them in Felluce and similar locations, where the human rights and freedoms are harshly violated, and could not tolerate our politicians to remind that blood feuds are not to be forgotten in the next century; these things may be settled through amicable and peaceful means. Maybe they seem to be justified in this; however, they are wrong in essence though they may seem to be right in appearance. If the party supporters of Mr. Recep Tayyip, the Prime Minister of Turkish Republic exerts pressure on him and seriously inquires this issue, the Prime Minister feels obliged to make some speeches, either soft or harsh. This is a domestic policy and a state leader inept to use it cannot stand upright.
Statistical data are entirely provocative.
Turkey and the USA have no chances other than being allies and strategic partners to each other in the history. The USA cannot achieve its target to control the Middle East with the assistance of Greece. It cannot get along with Iran that has been an archenemy for centuries and manages to produce policies that do not make sense even in the era of Shah. Functions and potentials of each of Iraq, Syria and Jordan are apparent It is obvious that no one but Turkey is the USA’s ally and strategic partner. The allegations that 83% of Turkish people are against the USA are all lies and provocative statements. When you address a single question: “what do you think about the USA”, the arguments you see comprise the few well-known items. “Do you see the European Union as an ally of Turkey” “more than 50% of the answers says NO. Would like to join the European Union “50% says YES” “What is the most reliable state” the USA with a 75% majority”. The Turkish Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take up the task and issue of overcoming the current trend against the USA and give it a priority. No one can prove that Mr. Recept Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister made a negative or adverse comment against the USA. He only made comments on the facts regarding the issues in the nature of recommendations. However, it is true that some circles tried hard to make use of the chances they had to completely break down the relations between two countries when the tension between the countries was somehow heated. Turkish people has never rejected the friendly offers and approaches of the USA. When the questions are correctly interpreted it is obvious that Turkish people are inclined to see the USA as their strategic partner.
Turkey is not the USA’s enemy but a friend.
Huge reactions were lashed on the latest article by Pollock, the author in the Wall Street Journal. The best answer to the article was given by David Judson, a US citizen who serves as journalist in Turkey: We heartily thank him. States and people overcome issues by means of mutual negotiations and talks. What we would like to is to maintain our allied relations for years with the USA, which is the largest military, economic, strategic and political power in the world. This is a heritage for our children. Turkey is a friend of the USA, not its enemy.