Perle: The Middle East Needs a Few More Ataturks

In a statement to Australian ABC television, Perle referred to Samuel Huntington’s thesis of "Clash of Civilizations" on Australia’s ABC television in the context of September 11th. Perle, who was on the Pentegon’s defense politics council until recently, said that a clash of civilizations has not yet occurred and he hoped it never would.

The man known as the ‘prince of darkness’ said "I have had the majority of my experience with Islam through Turkey. Once upon a time, I was a representative of a Turk-American bilateral group. Since then, I stayed in touch with Turkey. There is a secular and democratic Muslim country here and there isn’t any problem. I do not see any reason not to have close relations with the Muslim world. Of course, you cannot have a constructive relation with those who accept the holy war concept."

The interviewer suggested the need for a few more Ataturks, to which Perle replied, "A number of Ataturks would be better."