STAR- Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the strategic importance of Turkey and its affect on its relations with the West. A summary of his column is as follows:
Turkey's 'strategic importance' has always played an important role in its relations with the West. That is why the usual policies of the West were not implemented in line with the circumstances prevalent at the time. Turkey's military takeovers were excused, and the arms embargo imposed on Turkey in 1974 by the US under pressure from the Greek and Armenian lobbies was lifted by President Carter within a short time. In fact, during the Cold War, lashing out at Turkey was not in line with the interests of the West. If we must tell the truth, this phenomenon has prevented the elevation of democracy and human rights in the country to Western standards. Even as the Western countries took important strides towards these goals following World War II, they were not interested with the situation in Turkey. They attached more importance to Turkey's stability as a 'border station' against the Soviet threat. It didn't concern conservative circles who were afraid of the Soviet threat if this stability was achieved through authoritarian means. The criticism leveled at Turkey came rather from the liberal and leftist circles growing within the framework of increasing democracy and human rights. Then as everyone was thinking that Turkey had lost its strategic importance due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Saddam Hussein came to the rescue. The West, once again woke up to Turkey's strategic significance. During the Gulf crisis one of the most-talked-about countries was Turkey. However, in time this importance began to fade away and the lobbies against Turkey were revived. This time they began to strike Turkey using the Kurdish issue. Turkey and the West, which were allies within the framework of NATO, almost began to seem as foes. The 'cold war' between Europe and Turkey reached its peak. They accused Turkey of not facing upto its history and of having low standards of democracy and human rights. They seemed determined to divide Turkey, espousing double standards and a Crusaders' mentality. Thus began a dialogue between Turkey and Europe where no one listened to the other. Finding circumsmtances convenient, the Armenian and Greek lobbies began to launch initiatives against Ankara -- until Sept. 11. The attacks launched against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon demonstrated Turkey's strategic importance once more. How long this situation can last depends upon international circumstances. With the cooling of the war against terrorism, Turkey's strategic location will lose its importance. This makes us wonder whether the strategic location of Turkey will be enough to save us in the long run. Today, Turkey is among those countries which are passing through a transition and have complex social structures. In brief, it is crucial for us to understand the dynamics coming with our economic and social developments. Turkey is passing through the same stages the West has gone through only in a different time. That is why the strategic location of Turkey is not enough by itself to save Turkey. Turkey has to have a strong economy in addition to high standards in its democracy and legal system and respect for human rights. Otherwise it will get to be more difficult to defend our long-term interests.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION