Anti-Bush feelings, not anti-Americanism in Turkey

By Fatih Altayli
Hurriyet- ``The United States is uneasy about `anti-American` feelings in Turkey. And they do not hide this. It makes U.S. columnists write `custom-made` articles and threatens Turkey. However the United States is vigilant enough not to voice these arguments through U.S. President Bush or Secretary of State Rice`s mouth`` writes ``Hurriyet`` columnist Fatih Altayli.
The editorial follows: ``According to surveys, more than 80 percent of Turkish people is against the policies of the United States.
Actually, readers of this column know that this situation was highlighted in this column two years ago, but nobody was interested in. Now, when the situation has started aggravating, uneasiness increased. And U.S. administration has assumed an accusing tone towards Turkey.
However, there is something which Americans do not see or understand. What is going on in Turkey is not anti-Americanism, but just anti-Bush feelings are increasing. If being against to Bush Administration means being enemy of Americans, the ratio of anti-Americans in the United States is at least 50 percent, even --if tricks in elections are considered-- higher.
If 50 percent of Americans is anti-American, a 80 percent ratio is very normal for Turkey which suffers from U.S. policies in the Middle East. In fact, in other democratic countries of the world, the ratio of people who are against Bush is not less than in Turkey.
So, instead of threatening Turkey, the United States should better think why Turks admired Americans in Bill Clinton`s era.``