Bombastic Discourse, Little Progress

Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül highlight “strong ties” between Turkey and United States, despite their recent criticisms on “the suffering of Iraq’s Turkomans under USA’s unjustifiable treatment on Northern Iraq.”

US Secreatary od State Condoleeza Rice during her short visit to Ankara seems to have appeased Turkish leaders with following assurances:

*We earnestly support Iraq’s territorial integrity.

*We will be protecting Kirkuk’s multinational complexion.

*We will not permit Northern Iraq turn to a base for attacks against Turkey.

In turn, Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul in public statements with Rice after their meetings expressed that “Our strategic alliance perpetuates in a mature and constructive manner. ”

“We have recovered from the disappointment we lived through when the Turkish parliament refused to join the war on Iraq” says Rice on NTV, a Turkish news network. She adds “Otherwise, we would not lend our support to Turkey in its EU accession bid and in IMF relations.”

Bombastic talks

However “mutual” declarations from both sides prove recent criticisms of Erdogan towards Washington were mere “valor” crystals.

“Government’s declarations conform to domestic popular feelings,” says Asc. Prof. Mustafa Aydin of Ankara University Political Sciences Faculty International Relations Department comments on Erdogan’s approach.

Aydin further criticizes Erdoğan’s claims that “We will march to Kirkuk if necessary”:

*Intervention would be against all Northern Iraqis not only PKK which makes it difficult. Other groups have greater military power than PKK.

*Moreover, intervention would be against American Military. They are responsible of the internal security. Or you do it with their approval, which is hard to imagine, since US is getting on well with the Kurds.

Distrust remains

“Turkey has not much to do in Kirkuk issue other than creating an international pressure. Turkey-USA relations have not recovered and distrust in between stays on,” Aydin argues.

“Anti-American atmosphere restrains the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party). However, Turkey should refrain from bombastic statements. Occupation in Iraq is part of US-Turkey relations.”

Rice’s visit proves Aydin’s relevance while “valor” prevails in AKP’s foreign policy. Despite absence of a change in Turkey-US relations after Erdoğan’s whoop “We will march to Kirkuk if necessary. No one can disturb us”, Turkish PM emphasizes the ‘strong ties’ with the same valor: “Our strategic alliance perpetuates in a mature and constructive manner.” (EK/OA/YE)