STAR- Columnist Zeynep Gurcanli comments on the relations between Turkey, the US and the Arab world. A summary of her column is as follows:
The more tensions rise in the Middle East, the greater the pressure on Turkey. During Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's recent visit to the US, the Middle East peace process was one of the most sensitive issues in behind-the-scenes discussions. Ecevit conveyed the following message during his meetings with US officials: "The tension in the Middle East is also affecting Iraq. If a solution cannot be found for the Middle East, then the problem of Iraq cannot be solved either." Although Turkey considers these two issues as two sides of the same coin, Washington has no inclination to regard them as interrelated problems and is instead trying to find 'separate' solutions for them. While Ankara believes that a permanent solution cannot be reached in the absence of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, the Bush administration has already begun to voice its dissatisfaction with Arafat on the international stage. It has asked Arab leaders to suspend bilateral meetings with him and to increase their calls on Arafat to take action. In addition, no matter how greater the divergence of opinion between the US and Turkey on the issue, the Arab world sees Turkey as the 'closest ally to both the US and Israel.' That's why Turkey has chosen to step back and take a look at old agreements on the issue. Regarding Turkey's relations with Iraq, 'The Neighborhood Forum' is leaping to the top spot of issues on Turkey's agenda. The preliminary aim of the 'Forum' was to persuade Iraq to act in compliance with the UN resolutions. However, the behind-the-scenes expectations were different. The Forum was helping Turkey to boost its relations with the Arab world. That's why this old chestnut is being revived. Turkey is trying to revitalize the idea of the 'Forum' to bolster its relations with the Arab world, which has accused it of turning its back on the Muslim world. Turkey is also planning to find new allies such as Syria, Jordan and Iran in its bid against any US intervention in Iraq. That's why the European Union-Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) joint meeting to be held in Istanbul on Feb. 11-12 carries great importance. In addition, the Turkish Foreign Ministry is currently working on new policies to better deal with the Arab world.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION