We in the United States have an annoying habit of viewing foreign nations in a one-dimensional way. We see nations (in this case, Turkey) supposedly rebuking American diplomatic requests to use Turkish soil to stage military ground operations. So, we get angry at countries like Turkey for their actions.
The fact of the matter is -- Turkey, like most countries -- has a broad spectrum of political idealogies within it. In many ways, it's just like the United States. There are liberals and conservatives. Hawks and Doves. Pro-West and fundamentalists. The Turkish Prime Minsiter represents ALL of these factions and the foriegn policy of the country reflects diverse points of view.
The same thing can also be said for countries such as France, Germany, et al. Although there are clear lines of division between mainstream opinion in these countries versus the prevailing public attitude in the United States, the point is -- there are literally MILLIONS of citizens within these countries who support American military intervention against Iraq (by the way, I have not made up my mind on the issue). These people are generally a minority, but you should not discount the fact that within most European countries between 20-45 percent of the people (depending on the country) support a hard-line American military stand towards Iraq.
To defame Turkey in this thread is totally ridiculous. Turkey has been one of America's closest allies for the past 50 years. It's easy for nations like Great Britain to support the United States when we have a common language and culture, and America has done so much for the British people in the 20th Century. But for a MUSLIM nation with no historical or cultural ties to the United States to be such a staunch U.S. ally is absolutely remarkable! I mean, think about it -- it's unheard of.
Turkey's economy is in shambles. Lives are being ruined because of the high inflation rate. The Gulf War alone cost Turkey billions of dollars and tailspinned the country into a deep recession. I;m not talking about a "recession" like here (which is mild). I'm talking about no economic groth and 80 percent annual inflation. Much of Turkey's economy depends on trade with nations of the Middle East and Europe. If a war breaks out, Turkey will likely be the hardest nation in the world (other than Iraq) hit by the ramifications of war. Turkey has EVERYTHING to lose if a war breaks out -- economically, politically, and socially. War would ravage the Turkish economy. War would sever Turkey's relations with virtually every Middle Eastern nation. Finally, war would fuel the rising fundamentalist factions within Turkey and perhaps even topple the government.
Oh, and those are the LEAST of the Turk's concerns. How about the prospect of Turkey being hit by guided missles and weapons of mass destruction? That's where many of the Iraqi missles are going to be targeted if an invasion comes from within Turkey. On this side of the ocean, it's easy to bang the war drums since the direct threat to Americans from Iraq is minimal. But Turkey is right there in harms's way. If you add the chemical and biological dangers (it would be easy for an Iraqi to smuggle toxic components into Turkey through the mountains on the border), cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, and Izmir could lose thousands of lives.
THAT"s why Turkey wants American aid, not because they lack the commitment against Saddam Hussien's regime.
Want more?
Okay.
Turkey is the MOST American-freindly nation in the world. I believe I can say that because I've been there a dozen times (I admittedly used to work for the Turkish government -- I'll take any Turkish diplomat over all the morons that work in the U.S. State Department combined). Talk to any American who served in the military and was stationed in Turkey. It's one of the very few places in the world where the image of the "ugly American" is not the prevailing attitude. Turks like Americans. Read the history of the Korean War. Turkey sent thousands of troops to fight alongside the Americans. Stories of the conflict reflect the Turkish commitment to the United States. Also note that Turkey allowed ICBMs on its soil during the US-USSR cold war. At great peril to themselves, Turkey allowed its territory to host U.S. missles. Very few other countries did that. In fact, NO OTHER NATION did that unless I am mistaken. Turkey also hosts two American air bases. It's been a partner in NATO since 1953.
Yet the West continues to shaft Turkey. Depsite its attempts to Westernize, the EU keeps Turkey out of the economic and political alliance. Moves to join the EU have been rejected three times. Turkey has a horrible geographic location (in terms of security) including borders with hostile Iraq, Iran, Syria, and two former Soviet Republics.
Now, Turkey is being asked to be the base of a land invasion of Iraq. Never mind that the country's economy could be wrecked, relations with its neighbors could be severed for years to come, and the government could be overthrown (there have been two military coups within Turkey in the last 30 years -- some fear another could come)....we Americans think Turkey should follow our orders. Yeah, right.
If I was Turkey, I'd hold out for more. Much more. Like us, they are doing what's in their national interest. All power to them. If I was a Turk, I'd demand no less from my government. Wouldn't you?
I won't even get started on what a huge mistake this war might be for the United States and our horrifc national foreign policy. That's an entirely differnet subject,
-- Nolan Dalla