04.12.2006

A period that will see radical change in Iraq is about to start following the elections in the United States, and various countries and politicians are producing ideas as to what to do, but there is no action at all in Turkey.

Here are two news stories for you:

1-- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has invited the heads of state of Syria and Iraq to Tehran to discuss the “Iraq question” and look for a solution. Talabani accepted the invitation right away (Sabah, Nov. 21, 2006)

2-- As we discuss the presence of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Southeast, the popularity of Hezbollah is rapidly spreading among Kurds. (“The Revival of Kurdish Islamism?” The New Anatolian, Nov. 17, 2006.)

Now put your hand on your heart and ask yourself what the Turkish government is doing in the face of these two developments with the potential to have dreadful consequences for Turkey, without regard to your political preferences.

The 21st century is being shaped right in front of our noses; all ambitious countries are doing their best to get a piece of the cake, and our only efforts are spent on either making Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the president or keeping him from the presidency.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is portraying the image of a party with a higher sensitivity towards Islam but its -- and in particular part the prime minister's -- insensitivity towards international games being played in the Islamic world could drive one crazy.

I am tired of the passive policies of Turkey raising the question, “What will we do now?” only after “all that goes” on has happened. I am observing Iran with jealousy and envy.

As I think about how small a role a Turkey, which has lost its influence in the Middle East to Iran, would play in the world, what the future of its share in the Alliance of Civilizations project would be, I go out of my mind with ambition.

It would be foolish to expect Turkey to produce an active policy at this stage concerning the “Iraq question” tantamount to the world agenda, but I will still share my views anyway:

1-- A Turkey that has not solved its “southeastern problem” is perceived in the world not as a problem-solver but only as a problem creator. I don't know what other kind of period we could have when we are this close to a solution. The PKK has collapsed. The PKK's jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan (Apo) is readier than ever before to be directed according to our will. There are virtually no Kurds left in the Southeast believing in war. Opportunities to leave the mountaintops and return to the city are more readily available than ever before. Turkey has to discuss policies for a settlement and put these to work without wasting time. A secret agreement with Apo to keep Turkey engaged until the presidential elections in May 2007 could be good for Erdoğan, but it is causing great damage to the country.

2-- Turkey should accept the reality of a federal Kurdish state in northern Iraq as soon as possible and tie northern Iraq with its own Southeast in commercial terms and promote investment in this area in order to benefit from the national income of Iraq, which has already risen to $2,000 per capita in that country.

3-- Iran should be the protector of Shiites and the Arab world should be the protector of the Sunnis, while Turkey should be the protector of the Kurds and become the guarantor of northern Iraq as the de facto division of the country gains legal status.

4-- Turkey should make clear efforts to organize an international conference about Iraq before December.