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'Who is a Turk?' By Tulin Daloglu
6.12.2005
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Facing public opinion
polls that show Americans' view of the Iraq war at a
new low, President Bush delivered a speech last week
to rally support and lay out the stakes of the
mission. He didn't offer any substantial "guarantee"
of victory against the insurgency, but Democrats
aren't exactly solving the problem either.
Rep. John Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, a decorated
Vietnam veteran, with the backing of House Minority
leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, suggested
the immediate redeployment of U.S. forces, and the
creation of a rapid-reaction force to drop into Iraq
to contain flare-ups. While there remains the
question of how Democrats define "victory" in Iraq,
former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger rightly
warned, "I think to look at withdrawal from Iraq
strictly in terms of our own election cycle could
lead to a disaster." Indeed, it is crucial to
acknowledge the challenges ahead, and here is where
Turkey comes back into the picture.
Sooner or later, the United States will withdraw
large numbers of its troops from Iraq, but some U.S.
military presence will definitely remain there for
many years to come. It's safe to speculate that a
good number of the remaining troops will be based in
Northern Iraq — statistically, the area where U.S.
troops have suffered few casualties, and the place
where they will continue to observe and protect the
democratic process in Iraq. Yet if necessary
precautions are not taken, this exit strategy will
most likely bring on a "disaster" in U.S.?Turkey
relations that will be so much worse than the 2003
decision by the Turkish parliament not to give U.S.
troops a northern front to enter Iraq.
Since the first Gulf War, Kurds in Northern Iraq
have built their autonomous region, making its
economy a success. Investments have poured into this
part of Iraq, as opposed to the Shi'ite parts of the
country. According to the exit strategy, the U.S.
military presence will inevitably help Northern
Iraq's economy, create more job opportunities and
open the way to new investment when security is
established. And that will be Turkey's challenge.
Although there are much poorer towns and cities in
the Black Sea and Aegean regions, the people did not
call for arms against the state. Kurds did, because
they demand the right to "self-determination."
Since Iraq began taking its baby steps toward
democracy, Kurds in Turkey began to look up to
Northern Iraq rather than follow the dream to become
part of the European Union. When a bomb exploded in
a bookstore in Semdinli, Hakkari, hundreds rallied
against the state, supporting PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan and, according to some accounts, burning the
Turkish flag in front of the police station.
The question remains how Turkey will win the hearts
and minds of its Kurdish citizens, and Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has opened a public
debate asking, "Who is a Turk?" It's unclear what
purpose debates like this serve at this time, and
whether they're the right way to move forward when
there's the possibility that either an Iraqi
Kurdistan could prosper more than the Kurdish areas
in the southeastern and eastern parts of Turkey, or
Iraqi Kurds could call for their own independence.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Justice and Development Party is
a K Street-like flurry of activity. Some lawmakers
work like lobbyists, either representing Kurdish
demands, acknowledging their right to
self-determination, or some are still battling over
allowing women to appear in public places with
headscarves. In the midst of this, Turkey is still
fighting its battle over Kemalists vs. Islamists.
However, the country should prioritize how to reach
out to its Kurdish people and unite everyone behind
the flag. Otherwise, the country is being pulled in
opposite directions between the EU and Northern
Iraq.
If Turkey does not find a solution to the dilemma
within its borders, it could break apart sooner or
later.
So while the United States considers its exit from
Iraq, Turkey must address its situation with the
Kurds - because the pullout will also determine
whether Turkey will retain its borders. Turkey's EU
membership will guarantee a stronger democracy,
human rights, rule of law and a better economy,
which will help keep Turkey's Kurds in the fold.
Under these circumstances, PKK is no longer the
primary threat to Turkey's integrity. The Kurdish
nationalists shifted their focus from the EU
membership toward what the United States can do for
them — delivering them the right to
"self-determination," hopefully ending with the
announcement of their dream homeland. If this is not
what the United States desires, it also needs to
work to keep the Iraqi Kurds from encouraging Kurds
in other countries to join their journey. Otherwise,
borders will change again, and the cost to the U.S.
security will likely be high.
If Turkey is allowed to have it all — both the EU
membership and a guarantee of its territorial
integrity — the United States will be able to hold
onto it when challenged by Syria and Iran. If not,
the exit strategy could be a disaster for the
region.
Tulin Daloglu is the Washington correspondent and
columnist for Turkey's Star TV and newspaper. A
former BBC reporter, she writes occasionally for The
Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com
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