BY GUNGOR MENGI
VATAN- The US’ Greater Middle East Initiative (GME) is a beautiful dream, like all projects. The Middle East has suffered under the greatest injustices of our age and the feelings of revolt and revenge of its people oppressed by these injustices. Now everybody sees that if this region cannot have a humane order based of justice and peace, not a single region worldwide will be secure. Washington says that through this project it wants to structure democracy in the region and support nations which want to expand their freedoms. The worst luck of the GME is US President George W. Bush. Everybody is suspicious of the fact that Bush, an ally of despots in the region, now is championing a democracy campaign in the same area. Considering the things the US has done to Iraq and its close relations with despotic regimes in the region, those who ask if the GME is a new example of diplomatic hypocrisy have good reason.
However, none of these doubts are sufficient reason to oppose the initiative, because the US’ intentions and actions in the region don’t contradict its goals. The GME will also add new dimensions to our relations with the US. Following the G-8 summit in the US, the subsequent EU-US summit and the NATO summit will be held in Istanbul in June. These three summits will make the Greater Middle East Initiative concrete. President Bush wanted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be prepared for the G-8 summit on June 10. Erdogan is expected to bring a proposal on Turkey’s concrete contributions to the project. However, a circle influenced by prejudices about the Middle East and suspicions about Bush opposes this cooperation. This opposition is growing. But Turkey must be part of the GME. We can’t be just an onlooker to this project. Such a stance would mean surrender. On the contrary, being part of it would be a step to boost the value of Turkey’s EU membership. Erdogan should stress our presence at the G-8 summit and then give the message that EU membership would give Turkey the opportunity to strengthen its role. Those who call the GME a dream may be right in the end. However, dreaming is better than fearing ghosts and growing isolated.