TURKISH-US RELATIONS

However, Turkey granting the requested support on a permanent basis hinges on smoothing out the contradictions between our two countries’ interests on the northern Iraq issue.
Ankara is not likely to back Washington before the US fully acknowledges our country’s rightful concerns about a grave threat, one demonstrated in 25 years of armed attacks coming from within northern Iraq. The main reason for the Turkish military presence in the region is the terrorist group PKK/KADEK. Moreover, Turkish forces are determined to stay there until this terrorist group is completely eradicated. Ankara has said as much to Washington many times. Yet the US is still suspicious about the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) activities in northern Iraq, an attitude which is hard to understand.

The protection of Iraq’s territorial integrity, the establishment of a national army and police force, and the elimination of other armed groups in the region besides these two might be cited as common goals that Turkey and the US share. If Washington is truly sincere in attaining these goals in Iraq, then it should not be pursuing policies at loggerheads with Ankara. Turkey and the US could move in concert and cooperation for the Iraqi people’s interests and security once both our political objectives in Iraq converge and Washington stops acting under the influence of certain regional forces. Moreover, the US must work hard to avoid another Sulaimaniya incident. Turkish-US relations cannot bear another such blow. Now that the US has hit very troubled waters in Iraq, putting relations with Ankara back on the right track depends more on Washington’s constructive efforts.”