MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the US’ determination to carry out a military campaign on Iraq and Turkey’s possible role in it. A summary of his column is as follows:
While the prospect of a US–led war on Iraq grows more probable with each passing day, we still hope that it will never take place. If it is ‘inevitable,’ we wish Turkey would not be a part of it. Yet the bare facts are much more challenging. Is it possible to make Bush and Saddam abandon their quests by simply saying ‘no’ to war? Who can stand firm against the US, which is so determined to topple Saddam’s regime? Could the United Nations, European Union, Arab League or just Turkey do that? Is it possible for Turkey to stay completely out of this war? In other words, could Turkey pursue a stay-neutral policy, as it did during World War II? We should keep one thing in mind: Today, the circumstances are far different. Ankara must immediately understand that staying completely out of a war in Iraq might have grave consequences.
While we debate Turkey’s prospective role in an ever-more-probable Iraq war, we should clearly assess the reasons why the US is so determined to strike at Iraq. Washington is speaking with one voice: ‘Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction which pose a grave threat to the free world.’ This is one of the reasons, while the other has to do with the US’ quest to take oil resources under its control. Yet the US’ real goal is much more comprehensive and suffused with hubris. The Bush administration wants to establish an altogether ‘new order’ across the entire region. And that involves necessary regime changes in certain countries in this region in line with the US’ strategic concerns. Thus, the whole problem comes down to overcoming such obstacles as Saddam in order to lay the foundations of US dominance over the Middle East. This is the underlying and long-term goal the US has its sights on in carrying out a possible military campaign in Iraq. With this situation, Turkey must realistically and practically define its position within the framework of the US’ strategy.
Unsurprisingly, Ankara’s top political and military officials have begun to think more and more that Turkey shouldn’t stand outside of a war in Iraq. They see the disadvantages of doing so outweighing its advantages. Should Turkey decline to participate in a common front of this war alongside the US, this will no doubt end up costing us American support that we need in a great many areas. However, this is not merely the question of Turkey’s ‘dependency’ on the US. As I mentioned above, the US military intervention has to do with its broader designs for the future of the entire region. And Turkey cannot and should not stay out of this process. Can Turkey be a mere spectator to the establishment of a new order in Iraq, and especially in northern Iraq? As a ‘strategic partner’ of the US, is it not in Turkey’s interests to stand alongside Washington? Turkey’s place in a possible Iraq war is already defined. The only problem remaining is the degree of its involvement in this operation.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION