Turkey 'not drifting closer to Iran', analysts say
Western fears that NATO-allied Ankara is cementing an 'Islamist alliance' are unfounded, argues the International Crisis Group in a new report.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Turkey Iran nuclearDespite a near-breakdown in relations with Israel and cordial ties with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Turkey is not realigning itself with Tehran, according to a report released Thursday.
Turkey's moderately Islamist government has been at odds with Israel, once its staunchest regional ally, since the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip nearly two years ago.
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Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan signing a nuclear deal in Tehran on May 17, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
But in its latest report, the International Crisis Group, a non-profit conflict resolution initiative, says such fears are unfounded.
Turkish relations with Israel, already rocky, reached crisis point in late May when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat.
Following the raid, harsh condemnations of Israel from Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, coupled with his attempts to intercede with the Ahmadinejad regime in negotiations to halt Iran's nuclear program, have sparked fears in Israel and the West that Turkey is basing its foreign policy on an 'Islamist' ideology.
But according to the ICG, Turkey shares many of the goals of its Western partners, remains closely tied to America and Europe and should continue to play an important role in resolving Middle Eastern and other conflicts.
“Turkey has changed greatly over the past two decades, becoming richer, more self-confident and no longer dependent on Washington or Brussels alone”, said ICG analyst Hugh Pope. “Despite the recent crises of confidence, all sides need to remember they still have a lot in common, and these commonalities remain a strong basis for improving stability in the region”.
The ICG urged Israel and Turkey to work together to restore ties, arguing that the that Erdogan’s efforts, with Brazil, to secure a diplomatic settlement between Tehran and the international community Tehran's nuclear program should not be viewed as Turkey allying with Iran.
Ankara had some U.S. encouragement in engaging with Iran, the report said, and it has the same aim as its Western partners: ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.
Israel and the West accuse Iran of using a civilian energy program as cover for an illegal atomic bomb project, a charge Iran denies.
"The U.S. and the EU should put aside clichés about Turkey 'joining an Islamist bloc' or 'turning its back on the West'," the report said.
Israel, meanwhile, should now take advantage of a UN-led panel of inquiry into the flotilla raid to repair its relationship with Turkey, if necessary reassuring Ankara by prosecuting any soldiers or officials suspected of wrongdoing, the report said.
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creditability, the two faced back stabber can anything he wants, but I can tell you in advance that he's lying through his teeth. So the gaza operation ruffled ergodan's feather's. Well as soon as he ADMITS his Killing of Thousands of armenians maybe just maybe it will be a step in the right direction?
Well, Turkey certainly fooled me. Erdogan needs to be booted out in 2011. Maybe he can a job sweeping a mosque or working at 7-11.
I recall the Turkish PM stating that his problem isn't with Israelis or Jews, but the current Israeli government and those who support it. Many outside of Israel feel the same... no news there.
He is among few westerners who understand Turkey and I respect his opinions. However I was born raised and educated in Turkey and I am a few years older then PM Erdogan. I had many friends of his convictions while growing up (president Gul was neigbor to a relative of mine at the ASANSOR area of Izmir). What Mr Pope forgets is that PM Erdogan invited Hamas leader Meshaal to Ankara a few years ago and recently told the media that Hamas is not a terror organization. Even for Mr. Pope who spent 10 years in Turkey it is difficult to understand the mindset of the ultra religious in Turkey. One last very important event about Turkey is a referendum for a constitution amendment that will be voted this week end. If passed it will make the justice system (Judiciary branch) subservient to the government and there will be no more separation of powers in Turkey. (legislative and executive branches are tied to each other very closely already. PM took signed blank papers from every minister just to use when needed). Only a few year ago such a move sparked big demonstrations in Pakistan by the bar associations. Unfortunately in Turkey such demonstrations against tyranny and dictatorship are not happening.
Even though Israel's some hatred-ful voices claim opposite the truth is this.
They never seem to be right.
The US should look at their own business and dont tell waht EU have to do.
That means that it is already there
Nothing to do with Islamization. Here is an old post of mine: I don't believe one needs to go too deeply into geo-political or human processes to understand what happened with Turkey. Erdogan is an active leader with ideas. He was chosen by Time magazine as the 17th most influential leader in the world in 2009. Among his activities he was trying to mediate between Israel (under Olmert) and Syria, which the rise of Netanyahu put an end to. Erdogan is a devout Muslim, and I take it that he really cares about the Gaza people under Israeli "siege", which Erdogan wanted to help in lifting. Nothing to do with supporting Hamas. In the Flotilla incident, Turkey enabled the protesters, but the Israeli clumsy response left 9 of them dead. QUESTION: What would have been a decent Israeli reaction? ANSWER: 1. Apologize to Turkey, 2. Offer to pay some compensation to the families, and 3. Introduce some partial lifting of the siege on Gaza (which serves no known purpose other than collective punishment). Actually, Netanyahu himself did such things when Mossad agents were caught in Jordan trying to assassinate Meshaal. But with the flotilla, Israel's response was: 1. Saying no apology was deserved, 2. Blaming the passengers and calling the ship a "terror ship", and 3. Stating that the present policies will continue because Israel needs security. (Later Netanyahu changed his mind and lifted part of the "siege".) Don't be surprised of the resulting freeze in relations.
Turkey should stick to Iran, why would Turkey want to be a friend of a nation that hate muslims? Go Turkey! Go Iran!
In line with the views the entire international community. Unequivocally the ball is in Israel's court.