The U.S. Shows Its Cards

HURRIYET- Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on recent developments on the Iraq issue. A summary of his column is as follows:
Diplomatic sources are now saying that the Bush administration, whose determination to launch a military strike against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is clear, has finally conveyed its official requests of our country to the Turkish Embassy in Washington. According to these sources, the US is demanding use of Turkey’s airspace, military bases, territories and ports during its planned Iraq military operation. The Bush administration also wants Turkey to deploy its own troops whenever and wherever needed. The US listed their demands in accordance with America’s long and short-term interests. However, there is no doubt that Turkey also has its own long and short-term interests, which is why our government shouldn’t neglect these interests in responding to the US demands. For instance, how can we trust the US, when up to now it has lent its full support to the opposition Kurdish groups aiming to establish an independent state in northern Iraq? The Bush administration has guaranteed that it would never support any efforts which could pose a threat to Turkey’s territorial integrity. Can we really trust their promises? In addition, Turkmen groups in northern Iraq might not mean anything to the US, but they are very important to us. What will the US do about this issue?

Let’s imagine the post-operation period. After ousting Saddam Hussein, the US will leave the region. However, Turkey will remain a neighbor to Iraq. How can the Iraqi nation forget that Turkey deployed troops against their country? Will Turkey be able to mend relations between the two countries in the postwar period? Let’s not forget that our two countries currently have good relations.

Finally, let’s ask ourselves, what has the US operation got to do with Turkey anyway?

In an article recently posted on the website of Middle East Realities magazine, it was alleged that Iraqi opposition leader Ahmad Chalabi had met with the directors of US oil companies in Washington to discuss the postwar situation concerning Iraqi oil. In fact, nobody denies that the real motive behind the US’ determination to overthrow Saddam is the US oil companies’ desire to capture these resources. The same article also added that Larry Lindsey, Bush’s economic policy advisor, stated that a war in Iraq would provide a shot in the arm to the US business world. The only problem for the US is that France, Russia and China will likely to have serious concerns about US control over Iraq’s oil resources. The US is on the one hand trying to find a way to please these countries, and on the other selecting three of its own major oil companies to control the region. What a situation! Retired Ambassador Taner Baytok also recently expressed similar views on the issue. He called on the Turkish government to avoid pursuing policies at odds with the US plans and furthermore to hold meetings with US officials to clearly express its views and prevent any future misunderstandings.

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