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The
European Union (EU) has decided to open negotiations
with Turkey and advance the country's ambition of
becoming an EU member. This is good news for the
United States, which stands to benefit from Turkey's
accession. But as Turkey looks increasingly to
Brussels, the United States should reaffirm its
relationship with its longstanding ally.
Turkey, with one foot in Europe and another in Asia
Minor, is an ally in the North American Treaty
Organization (NATO) and partner in the war on
terrorism. Turkey's economy has seen more than 16
percent growth in the last two years. The country
also serves as an important example of the
compatibility of democracy and secular Islam.
In recent decades, Turkey has been a valuable
strategic ally for the United States. Turkey played
an important role in the Cold War and joined the
Allied coalition in the Gulf War. Turkey maintains
NATO's largest standing army and will assume
leadership of the International Security Assistance
Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for the second time in
February 2005.
However, the U.S.-Turkey relationship has lost the
strength and warmth of the past. The Iraq War – the
single most explosive issue – has been terribly
unpopular among the Turkish public. The Turkish
parliament voted to disallow the U.S. military to
launch the invasion of Iraq, a border country, from
Turkish soil. In November 2004, the chairman of the
parliamentary human rights commission called U.S.
activity in Iraq "genocide." The Iraq War also
heightened concerns in Turkey that its own Kurdish
population will reinvigorate efforts for an
independent homeland.
In fact, the Turks have often felt that the United
States does not appreciate Turkey or recognize its
interests, and are concerned that it will depart
Iraq and leave an independent Kurdistan. They have
memories of 1991, when they suffered economically by
abiding by UN sanctions on Iraq. They also remember
the 1960s, when they agreed to host Atlas missiles
and risk provoking the Soviet Union, only to see the
United States walk away as a trade-off following the
Cuban Missile Crisis.
Now the United States has a chance to fortify its
relationship with Turkey. The Bush administration
must find ways to do this that do not further
aggravate Turkish public opinion or visibly
interfere in the accession question. The
administration has several opportunities before it.
First, the United States should consult closely with
the Turks on the Iraq issue to reduce tensions and
secure their constructive participation. The United
States might consider making more reconstruction
contracts available to Turkish companies. The United
States should also be sensitive to Turkish concerns
about the presence of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK)
in Northern Iraq, from where it has staged attacks
on Turkey.
Second, as Turkey moves closer to becoming a member
of the EU, the path will become increasingly
demanding. The United States can quietly support
Turkey in meeting the EU's requirements for
democratic reform, for example, by supporting the
work of Turkish non-governmental organizations
addressing these challenges.
Third, the United States can continue to help Turkey
develop its economy and ease the pain that will
undoubtedly accompany the process of integrating
with the EU. Turkey continues to struggle with
erratic economic growth, high inflation and low
foreign direct investment. More opportunities for
U.S. investment in the country will emerge as
banking regulations and other conditions improve
through the accession process. The Overseas Private
Investment Corporation, which helps U.S. businesses
invest overseas, can be helpful here.
Fourth, the United States must strengthen the
consultative process with Turkey. The countries had
become so confident in their relationship that they
became complacent about maintaining it. It is
important for U.S. and Turkish officials to get
together to discuss major issues.
Furthermore, the Bush administration must recognize
that consultation takes work. In the lead up to the
Gulf War, Secretary of State James A. Baker III made
three trips to Ankara. In contrast, Secretary of
State Colin Powell did not visit Turkey once in the
lead up to the 2003 invasion.
Finally, the United States must establish mechanisms
to mitigate problems that might arise within the
U.S.-EU-Turkey relationship. A United States that is
close with both the EU and Turkey can advance the
interests of all parties.
Nicole Mlade is Senior Policy Analyst for National
Security at the Center for American Progress.
http://www.americanprogress.org
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