BY BULENT ARAS
SABAH - The meeting held by US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netenyahu at the White House last week redirected people's attraction towards the Middle East peace process. While the short press conference witnessed mutual good will messages and personal compliments, deep disagreements couldn't have been removed. Obama favors a solution with two states, whereas Netenyahu envisages an economic solution so that the Palestinian and Israeli people can live in prosperity. Obama believes that the Palestinian-Israeli peace would contribute to the constructive dialogue with Iran, but Netenyahu thinks that Iran is the most important security problem, which should be handled in priority. Netenyahu wants a solution with Iran about the nuclear issue to be based on a calendar, whereas Obama thinks that people should be patient. The two leaders argue that rapprochement with moderate Arab countries would facilitate the process with Iran. Netenyahu favors a cooperation which targets Iran, but Obama considers the rapprochement with Arab countries from the point of view of the relations with the Islam world.
Palestinian authority leader Mahmud Abbas' visit to the US will deepen these discussions. There are two alternatives to be chosen by Palestine, namely, presidential and parliamentary elections. They are basically afraid that the HAMAS will win these two elections. This fear derives from the fact that HAMAS recognizes neither Israel, nor the agreements which were signed in the past. Interestingly, some people think that if HAMAS remains in the opposition, the problem would be solved. Furthermore, Israel and the US don't strongly believe that Abbas will become a reliable interlocutor. Syria wasn't mentioned in the press conference.
This situation might be related to the statements made by Netenyahu that he wouldn't give the Golan hills and that this issue isn't covered by Obama's priorities. But it's too hard to talk about a comprehensive peace process in the Middle East, before Syrian-Israeli talks begin. The exclusion of Syria might make the things in Palestine and even Iraq more difficult. The Obama administration sees the big picture of peace in the Middle East. This is a great difference, when compared with the Bush administration. But it's not easy to achieve the goal in this comprehensive context. There are two important problems to be solved. The peace will be made with whom in Palestine? How will Israel and Syria be sat at the negotiation table?
The most important contribution made by Turkey to the Middle East peace has been the Syrian-Israeli indirect talks. Former US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice met with his Syrian counterpart in the countries neighboring Iraq which was held in Turkey. Turkey ensured that Syria takes necessary measures in an era in which the most important sensitivity about Syria was the security of Iraqi border. The meetings were halted at the stage of determining the border, where Israel would withdraw, and the acceptance of conditions put forty by Syria for the security of Israel. All the cards owned by Syrian leader Bashar al-Asad is now in the hands of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he's ready for meeting with Israel. Furthermore, peace with Syria is greatly important for the security of Israel. This way it will gain depth among the Arab countries, its regional legitimacy will be stronger, it will keep Iran away from its borders and the US' influence in the region will increase. If no progress is made with Palestinians, Turkey's role might directly intervene to open a new window. The other side of the Middle East peace is Hamas.
Turkey's stance favoring the establishment of a national government of reconciliation in Palestine has been gaining acceptance day by day. The actors who favor the peace should take HAMAS into consideration. Turkey is the only country which can convince HAMAS to meet with Israel. HAMAS approaches Egypt's initiatives very carefully. The impact of Iran and Syria on HAMAS isn't functional, as these countries aren't reliable for Israel. The road to peace passes from making cooperation with Turkey in such issues as the construction of Gaza, the reconciliation among Palestinian groups and convincing HAMAS. Turkey is developing certain capabilities which might become influential under difficult conditions of the Middle East. Turkey's constructive role might facilitate resolving the Syrian and Palestinian issues and fill the model partnership envisaged by Obama.