HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the situation in the Middle East and the Turkish model. A summary of her column is as follows:
Developments in the world are getting more complicated with every passing day. Not only in Afghanistan, but also in the Middle East, nothing can be guessed in advance. US President Bush’s initiative in the Mideast proved ineffective. No cease-fire agreement was reached. Sharon stated that he could expand the fight against terrorism towards other Arab countries which shelter terrorists. The Arab world is restless. Before his departure, Powell gave the message to Syria that if it supported terrorism, it would have to bear the consequences. On the other hand, Afghan King Zahir Shah returned to his country in the hope of promoting stability. Old warlords who traffic in narcotics had distributed flyers calling on the people to rebel against the interim government of Hamid Karzai. The Afghan people have no alternative besides growing poppies. One of the old warlords, Hano Gul, told Newsweek magazine said that it was the duty of every Afghan citizen to fight against the US troops and the Karzai government. He added that they would destabilize the country through the trade in narcotics. There is also the news that Al-Qaida is resuming its activities with the advent of spring. As the violence escalates in the Middle East, it is not possible to ensure stability in Afghanistan. Developments indicate that the pressures on Turkey will increase in the coming days. As things get more complicated, the Turkish model’s importance increases. What kind of a model is required and what role can Turkey play? These questions can be discussed at length, but US Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson, in a recent article published by the Fletcher School of Law, gave some indications of an answer. Ambassador Pearson said that a powerful Turkey which had implemented its economic reforms, enhanced its political system by carrying out constitutional reforms and was moving with steady steps towards EU full membership would be important as a role model. Furthermore, Turkey would be the guarantor of cooperation between NATO and the proposed European army. If it solved the Cyprus issue within the framework of UN resolutions, Turkey can be an example for the solution of other regional problems. The Ambassador expressed the importance of this model by saying that the increasing influence of Turkey stretching from Central Europe to Central Asia and to the Middle East will constitute a powerful contribution to the efforts of the US. The focal point of US foreign policy is the fight against terrorism and eradicating the terrorist networks. The US successes in the fight against terrorism and the unknown risks of the century before us pass through a strategic partnership with Turkey.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION