MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila comments on relations between Ankara, Damascus and Tehran vis-a-vis a possible war in Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:
Turkey now seems to be playing a more active role on the Iraqi problem with both diplomatic and military contacts. The visits paid recently by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to countries in the region are important in terms of formulating a common policy in case the US attacks Iraq. Countries in the region, particularly Turkey, would prefer the problem be solved without resorting to war. Gul is also making efforts towards that end. The countries that he visited support these efforts as well. However, the preparations being made by Britain and the US show that they are determined to stage an attack against Iraq.
With this probability in mind, Gul’s visits are very important. The strategic aims of Turkey and such neighboring countries as Syria and Iran require them to take a common stance in case of an attack. If the triad of Ankara, Damascus and Tehran shares a common stance, this would be a determining factor for the US and Iraq. All three of these capital cities think that Iraq’s territorial integrity should be protected, with the map remaining as is. Most probably Turkey, Syria and Iran will act in concert towards this goal. Likewise, the respect shown for Gul in Syria might be seen as the first signs of this. The process over the last five or six years that brought Turkish-Syrian relations to this point started when Damascus came to realize being closer to Ankara would be in its own best interests. The developments that resulted with the Adana Accord and Syria’s switch to an anti-PKK stance have of course caused Damascus to see this to a great extent.
Considering Iraq’s future, its territorial integrity and the US’ long-term intentions in the region, Ankara-Tehran relations are fully as important as Ankara-Damascus relations. Most probably a war will break out. However, whether or not there’s war, a common stance and cooperation among Ankara, Damascus and Tehran will spur a great deal of diplomatic traffic in the region.
Contacts on the military front are continuing as well. The US hasn’t yet been able to start inspections of Turkey’s airports and harbors, since a number of legal issues remain unresolved. A consensus hasn’t been reached with Ankara about how the law will regard soldiers coming from the US. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has sent a proposal to the US under which American soldiers would be subject to Turkish law. However, Washington hasn’t yet replied to this proposal. If Washington signs it, then the inspections could start. When the US will give an answer? Most probably US Chief of General Staff Gen. Richard Myers, who is to visit Ankara later this month, will answer this question. The first threshold the US must pass through to make headway with Turkey is this legal question. This needs to be dealt with first before any soldiers are sent.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION