A GOOD POLICY FOR IRAQ

The US paid everybody using empty words, but now it’s in a difficult spot. After the US felt that it was forsaken by Turkey in Iraq, it considered the Kurds its new allies and gave them concessions without taking the other balances in the region into consideration.

However, now the Kurdish tribes are presenting their bill to Washington. The US has to realize that the Kurds’ stance in northern Iraq will make Turkey, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia plus Iraq’s Shiites and Sunnis very restless. The US’ policy of remaking the region is about to run aground. Nobody, not even an imperialist power, can hold sway in a region by opposing its people. Even if the US insists on this, the people of the region won’t stand for it for long.

The US’ carelessness has provided Ankara with new opportunities. Now Turkey is the only country which can explain the Middle East to the US and vice versa, then can seek a middle road. Recently we’ve become aware of this advantage and sought to use it. Our contacts with Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq’s Shiites show that these powers will be glad for Turkey to play the role of mediator between the US, Israel and themselves.

The visit by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the US next week is very important. Turkey is the only country which can tell the US that its Middle East policies are wrong. Turkey isn’t stuck on the word ‘federation’ in the region, as it’s ready for new developments. Turkey is opposed to any arrangement which would protect the rights of only certain Kurdish tribes. In addition, Ankara also should negotiate over both Cyprus and Iraq in Washington.”