Cheney In Ankara

TURKIYE- Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on US Vice President Dick Cheney’s visit to Ankara. A summary of his column is as follows:
US Vice President Dick Cheney came to Ankara from Israel yesterday afternoon and is leaving the country today. This column was written before his visit. However, the outlines of what the two sides will tell each other is pretty much certain. Turkey will warn the US of the complicated consequences of a war against Iraq, which could prove dangerous. Turkey’s participation in such a war is out of the question. However, it is also certain that it will support the US. Otherwise, in the post-war atmosphere, we may not have any say in bringing a new order to Iraq. In any case, a war in Iraq would cause severe losses for Turkey. Cheney was unable to get the answers he would have liked from Saudi Arabia, Jordan or Egypt. However, the aim of the visit may be to ensure the neutrality of the Arab countries. Washington has the firm belief that Saddam may dare to threaten the US with the biological, chemical and nuclear weapons which he possesses. If the Sept. 11 attacks had not occurred, the US claim may not have been believed. However, it can be said that Saddam and his even more horrendous son Uday intend to intimidate the US through terrorism and to furthermore carry out a ‘pan-Arab’ policy. Another point may be that the operation’s main aim may be to reduce the number of anti-American states in the Gulf region (Iran and Iraq) from two to one. What is more, after establishing a friendly state in Iraq, Washington may turn to Iran. The ‘Pax Americana’ is trying to establish itself on solid foundations. This is the essence of the US policy for the 21st century. The US is determined not to live through an experience similar to that of the Sept. 11 attacks.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION