The remarks made by the U.S. State Department Deputy Minister for Europe Philip Gordon came just on the eve of the recent Obama-Erdogan meeting on the sideline of G-20’s summit in Toronto.
He said that ”we believe that Turkey is committed to NATO, Europe and the United States but it needs to be demonstrated. There are people asking questions about it in a way that is new, this in itself is a bad thing and this commitment makes it harder for the U.S. administration to support the issue that Turkey would like to see us to support”.
The U.S. administration which was discomforted by the “Nuclear Exchange Declaration” signed by Turkey and Brazil in Tehran, was also disappointed about “NO” vote against the U.N. Security Council sanctions.
But Turkey as well had a great disappointment from the U.S. attempts to be the protector of “the state terrorism and the state piracy” in “Mavi Marmara” flotilla incident.
All these could be considered as the clear evidence within the existent circumstances as to why Turkey-U.S. relations are not in good shape.
Therefore; it could be said that Obama-Erdogan summit which was held in Toronto on June 28, 2010, under these circumstances, transformed into a meeting which aims to repair the mutual “disappointments” and “discomforts”. Even if the message reflected to the press like “friendly conversations” gives the impression as if there was “coolness” and the “ice was melted”, this meeting itself could be described an extremely important development which makes it clear that contrary to someone’s explanations, the bilateral relations are not at the level of a crisis.
Despite the predictions that; the close relationship between Turkey and the U.S. as well as the “model partnership” is not properly working anymore and even broken down on many issues, the developments show that there is not any term of crisis at least for the time being, between two countries. It seems that some circles in the West and within Turkey are wishing that Turkey will abundance the Western orbit by claiming that Turkey shifted the political axis for alignment with Iran and against Israel. On the contrary; Turkey is standing firm behind her signature concerning the nuclear exchange declaration rather than Iran herself and she is against Israel’s policy of siege, blockade, confrontation and rigidity rather than Israel herself. This fact is well-known that all these negative polemics are intended to distort the image of Turkey as well as her regional and global rising. In addition to that, these circles might be in expectation that these polemics could bring psychological consequences in internal political power struggle. In fact, sanction, blockade and war policy of the American-Israel axis faces with the ‘New Turkey’s diplomacy, justice and peace’ policy. This attitude represents the values of ‘rising new world’. That’s why Brazil stands next to Turkey on nuclear exchange declaration. For this reason; the G-20’s are praising Iran to keep her on the table with the efforts of Turkey. Therefore; the European Parliament condemn Israel’s attack on ‘Mavi Marmara’ and supports Turkey’s demands.
During Obama-Erdogan meeting, the Prime Minister, apart from Israel issue, must have put forward the conditions of stronger cooperation for the liquidation of PKK. Besides, it is understood that Prime Minister Erdogan strongly pointed out that NATO does not give any support for terrorist attacks which come from PKK camps in northern Iraq and if this approach continues, in this case Turkey might think of leaving NATO by the end of the year. As it is known, according to article 5th of Alliance Treaty, if an armed attack occurs against from outside against one member, shall be considered against all the allied countries. Accordingly; how Turkey went to Afghanistan together with all the NATO countries after the September 11th terrorist attacks in the U.S.. Now she is expecting the same attitude from both NATO and the U.S.. The statement of Turkish Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek, following the above mentioned summit, calling NATO to take action, reminding their responsibilities and “questioning” the allied members, should be interpreted as the explanation of the warning of Prime Minister Erdogan.
Mr. Obama after giving the promise of full support concerning PKK issue, now voiced the discomfort of the U.S. with the latest developments in Turkish-Israeli relations. It is understood that Mr. Obama declared that he will do his utmost within his power to mend this situation and asked the help of Mr. Erdogan. Another one of the key points of the talks between two leaders was to spend a U.S.-Turkey joint effort in order to establish a balance between Israel and Iran and to include them both into the system. However, it can be said that while doing so, both sides have agreed on the mission of control and normalization of Israel by the U.S. and the control and normalization of Iran by Turkey, without entering in a position of “one sides’ protector is other sides’ enemy”. Turkey, who thanked the U.S. for her help in the issue of “Mavi Marmara”, was also praised by G-8 countries for her initiative to hold Iran on the table. Therefore; the subject is now to have a consensus about continuation of these efforts.
The secret meeting which is held by the Israel and Turkey Foreign Ministers in Brussels upon the request of Israel can be seen as the results of the Obama-Erdogan summit.
On the other side, we must stress that, Northern Iraq and Afghanistan would be determining issues on Turkish-U.S. relations in the future. More support of Turkey to the U.S. about Afghanistan issue and more help of the U.S. to Turkey about PKK terror in Northern Iraq are so important that in these circumstances, none of these two allied countries could take some steps to put in danger their bilateral relations, no matter what happens.
If we return to the beginning of our article concerning Philip Gordon’s statement, it could be said that his warnings were made under the U.S. Jewish Lobby pressure, prior to the coming elections in the U.S. and most probably were aiming to put a diplomatic and psychological pressure on Turkey. Therefore; Philip Gordon’s wordings has no meaning from the real policy point of view. Turkey doesn’t need to prove its commitment to NATO, Europe and the U.S. Turkey took place in all the Western Alliance projects ever since Korea, maintained NATO’s southeastern flank during the cold war for years, sent troops to Somalia, Kosova, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Lebanon at all costs for the world peace and stability. Turkey tries to have the full membership of the European Union and maintain the process patiently for 60 years. While the “New World” is removing the visa obligations to Turkey without hesitation, the EU countries are still withholding the allowance of free movement for the Turkish citizens. While Turkey, as an active member, fulfills her duties and responsibilities in international organizations like UN, OSCE, NATO the G-20, the European Council, the World Bank and IMF…, no one could expect any extra loyalty show by Turkey. Former German Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, who is one of the very rare wise man with Western vision evaluates all these developments on July 1, 2010 as that “Turkey’s foreign policy in struggling to solve the problems with its neighbors as well as their interior conflicts is not clashing with the interests of the West. The West will eventually have to give up the idea of seeing Turkey as its puppet and take her seriously as their partner. For West (especially Europe) it is time to act, otherwise it will be too late”. I guess the West should need considering that why they were too late to understand the points, rather than to expect from Turkey to show them.
“New Turkey” is well-aware of difficulties in conducting the conflict process in her way by ignoring the U.S. or opposing to her. However; the U.S. has to pay attention to the expectations, sensitivities and balancing policy of the “Changing Turkey” under the new world conditions after the cold war. The U.S. has no privilege of ignoring Turkey’s regional power and role. The message given by Mr. Obama from Turkey and Egypt to the region and the Islamic world as well, after his presidential elections, is still in our minds. Turkey’s importance for both the region and the U.S. has increased even more today. Finally; what should be understood is that; the new powers of the new world are forcing the structure of the global status quo, based on immorality, unlawfulness, pressure, sanctions and tyranny.