A New Era With Iraq

BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Ankara and Iraq’s interim government entered a new era in their bilateral relations when Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yaver arrived yesterday for a two-day visit to Turkey.
This is the first postwar high-level contact between our neighboring countries, a development which is expected to speed the normalization of bilateral relations. It is also al-Yaver’s first visit to a foreign country. His choosing Turkey for his first state visit shows that Baghdad places a high premium on its relations with Ankara. In addition, as Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is also expected to visit Turkey next month, our two countries seem to have plans to improve their relations further.
Domestic circles are now discussing whether it would be proper for Turkey to establish close relations with the Iraqi administration, as its legitimacy is still being questioned in the international community. We all know that both al-Yaver and Allawi are ‘appointed’ leaders. It was Washington which both handpicked them and also has close relations with most of the ministers comprising the interim government. Resistance forces are against not only the US occupation but also an Iraqi government controlled by Washington. These forces see the Yaver-Allawi regime as a ‘puppet’ of US forces.
However, under the current circumstances, we have no choice other than recognizing the interim government, which is currently trying to implement a political restructuring program for the upcoming elections in the war-devastated country.
In such a political restructuring period, Ankara has to establish close relations with the Iraqi administration, as Turkey is under the direct influence of developments in the region. Furthermore, Ankara is in contact not only with the interim government but also with representatives of certain societal segments including Kurdish, religious and tribal leaders.
Al-Yaver’s visit has provided Ankara with the opportunity to convey its views on Iraq’s reconstruction to Baghdad directly. Yesterday’s meetings focused on Turkey’s views concerning Iraq’s territorial and political integrity. Our officials warned Baghdad to take effective measures to protect their country’s integrity since the consequences would be grave for the region if they fail to do so.
Yesterday’s meetings showed that the Iraqi interim government wants to improve its relations with Turkey, paying special attention to Ankara’s views, warnings, and recommendations. It is hopeful for us that the Iraqi leaders believe that improved bilateral relations with Turkey are beneficial to their country.