Final rendezvous with US

A NEW LEAF WILL BE TURNED MUTUALLY
How should we see this trip? I am sure there will be those journalists who will write that the U.S. is apologizing to Turkey or that the U.S. is giving Turkey too little in an attempt to mend the fences. I think such assessments would lead to highly erroneous conclusions.

It would be best to see this trip as a step, the first step, towards reconstruction of the "collapsed bridge" in the Turkey-U.S. relationship.

The most important aspect of the talks will be that the "red lines" which Turkey and the U.S. will have to observe in the future, will be redrawn:

1. NORTHERN IRAQ:

The situation in northern Iraq will be a significant item on the agenda.

* Regarding the PKK-KADEK issue, will the U.S. give Turkey the guarantees being sought, and, with the implementation of the Returning Home Bill, close down the camp the militants have in northern Iraq? This is the most important issue from Ankara’s standpoint.

* In return, the U.S. will demand clarification of the activities of the Turkish military presence in the region. Efforts will be made to bring about an agreement regarding coordination between Turkish officials and the U.S. command. There is also another possibility, a strong one. The U.S. may demand that our troops be withdrawn from the region.

* Turkey will also be trying to obtain from the Americans a pledge towards securing the Turkmen presence.

2. IRAQ:

The "measure" of Turkish participation in the American activities in overall Iraq will be determined. Whether the Turkish troops will provide support in a UN or NATO context will be determined in a definite manner along with the nature of the role Turkey will play in Iraq’s reconstruction.

3. IRAN-SYRIA:

Washington will want to hear from Gul’s mouth Turkey’s Iran and Syria policies. On this issue will Ankara act together with Washington or will it adopt a different stance? That will probably be the issue that will put more strain on Gul than any other topic.

4. CYPRUS:

Cyprus is the only issue that keeps its place on the agenda and will surely be raised by both the Turkish side and by the Americans during this meeting as well.

Washington will press for resolution of the Cyprus problem by May 2004 on the basis of the Annan Plan.

Ankara will demand that Washington put pressure on Greek Cypriots and on Greece to ensure that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will be given a "more prominent" sovereignty. Ankara will also want that a solution be sought to the Cyprus problem outside the Annan Plan.

5. ARMENIA:

Washington will reiterate its call for the opening of the Turkey-Armenia border gate, stressing that this way both the U.S. and Turkey can get rid of the Armenian Bill pressure.

Naturally, some other topics, economy for example, too will be discussed.

Does AK Party have that vision?
During this trip Washington will speak less, preferring instead to listen to Gul. What Gul has got to say will indicate whether it will be possible to rebuild the bridges with Turkey. The future of the relationship will be shaped according to what the Americans will hear from Gul.

This trip can end up being an ordinary visit unless Gul has a grand "vision".

Will Turkey, seeing that the Turkey-U.S. relations underwent a profound change in the aftermath of March 1, develop a new policy, use a new rhetoric accordingly?

Do you think the AK Party can make such a change? I doubt that. However, frankly, I would like to see Gul surprise us.