MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila writes on Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to Washington and the issues to be discussed during the visit. A summary of his column is as follows:
During Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to the US, the Middle East and Iraq will be two of the main issues to be discussed. Prime Minister Ecevit and Foreign Minister Cem expect that US President Bush will bring up the subject. It is a well-known fact that Washington has not wavered from the idea of a military intervention in Iraq. Washington also knows that Ankara and Prime Minister Ecevit believe that such a policy has certain drawbacks. Ankara has conveyed to Washington the stance it will take in such an event. When a delegation of 10 US senators visited Ankara recently, the problem was discussed at length. Turkey's approach to the issue was explained to the delegation led by Senator Joseph Lieberman, both by military and government officials. Ankara is inclined to take part in the probable events rather standing by. The reason for such a policy is that, the consequences of a probable intervention will lead to crucial developments in Turkey. The stance conveyed to the US senators visiting Ankara may be summarized as, first, Turkey cannot accept the division of Iraq and the establishment of a Kurdish state in the north. Second, Turkey is closely concerned with the consequences of the intervention rather than its reasons as these will greatly affect Turkey politically, economically, and militarily. Third, the consequences of an intervention can be accepted by Ankara if the formation of a Kurdish state is not allowed, and only an autonomous Kurdish zone is left as in the past, and a Turkmen autonomous region is formed in addition to a Shiite autonomus region in the south. Fourth, Turkey prefers to face the probable events actively to protect its border security, territorial integrity and its own interests rather than facing them at its borders. Ecevit's visit is taking place after this sounding off by the US senators. Ankara said to the senators that the situation in northern Iraq came into being after the Gulf War and posed a danger for Turkish security. The PKK was strengthened in the power vacuum and it increased its attacks on Turkey. Ankara is not interested in Saddam. However, even if Saddam stays in power or is overthrown, Ankara is concerned that Iraq may be divided, a Kurdish state may be proclaimed and the Turkmen may be oppressed...The US has to take Ankara's concerns into consideration.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION