FOREIGN ISSUES BY MUSTAFA BALBAY

2) I believe that recent statements coming out of the White House are encoded. American officials make remarks on the future of Iraq, but they cloak the most important pieces of the puzzle. Here is yesterday’s message from Washington: Turkey and the new Iraq will constitute role models for other countries in the region. Turkey has reiterated countless times that it is committed to maintaining good relations with its neighbors, but we shouldn’t forget that our priority must be catching up with the standards of modern Western states rather than being a model for the Islamic world!

3) Meanwhile, the Kurdish leaders Barzani and Talabani have recently made interesting remarks. The two both made their concerns clear to Turkey that they did not want our country to intervene into the region. This is no surprise. Turkey shouldn’t let itself be provoked by these remarks as if it had never heard similar statements before. All that is required is calm.

4) Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom last week paid an official visit to Ankara to discuss the latest developments in Iraq. Israel wants to improve its relations with our country. As a matter of fact, our two countries are strategic partners, which is why Turkey should pay attention to Israeli views and concerns so as not to damage this partnership.

5) What about our relations with Syria? Although Syria harbored PKK terrorists for years, since the 1998 Adana Agreement with Turkey bilateral relations have improved. This is perhaps the best period yet in our bilateral relations.

6) The Israeli foreign minister stressed during his visit that Syria had long supported terrorism. Turkey shouldn’t let itself affected by such statements. Ankara’s relations with one country should not influence its relations with others. Let’s not forget that these are two separate issues!

7) The Iraq war was not an end, but rather the beginning of a series of important developments which are very likely to be felt worldwide. Such circumstances will be an important test for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. They should not use such critical issues or their contacts with foreign officials to bolster their own party policies or structure! Such a narrow-minded, selfish policy would be very dangerous! The AKP must act in accordance with Turkey’s national interests!”