BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen comments on Turkey’s new Iraq policy. A summary of his column is as follows:
With the decision not to deploy soldiers, Turkey’s Iraq policy has entered a new phase. This phase requires new evaluations and strategies. Obviously the Turkish government feels relieved now that the issue of a militarily contribution in Iraq is off the table. However, concerning the chaos over the border, we can’t say, ‘Whatever happens there and whatever the US does isn’t our business.’ Countries far away from the region might have such a luxury, but it’s unthinkable for Turkey to remain a mere spectator to developments which will end up influencing our security and strategic interests. It’s been argued up to now that Turkey must play a ‘military role’ in order to have a say in Iraq’s future. Now people are saying that Turkey can play a ‘civilian role,’ and plans are being prepared accordingly for the new phase.
Without assuming military responsibilities, Turkey can make new openings in Iraq both in its relations with the US and concerning developments in Iraq:
* The US can’t criticize Turkey now, because it thinks that Ankara did its best to cooperate with Washington and acted like a real ally. This provides Turkish diplomacy with the opportunity to weigh in with its views, concerns and expectations in its dialogue with the US in a more influential way.
* Iraq’s Governing Council, a US creation, is the only political presence in Baghdad. However, the council is becoming more influential with each passing day and it will also play the main role in drawing up the constitution and arranging for elections.
Now Turkey has reached a point where it can direct its relations with the council and Kurdish leaders in the north. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t have the initiative or a say. Thus, establishing a constructive dialogue with these political powers will facilitate direct solutions to certain problems. Now it’s time for Ankara to determine its stance on Iraq’s future and shape its relations with Baghdad. It’s the duty of our diplomats to show that this can be achieved successfully without deploying soldiers in Iraq.