You can see every dimension of this change when you witness Davutoğlu's contact with the Shiite, Sunni and Christian groups in Lebanon -- which is hands down the most colorful country in the Middle East -- and listening to his comments on what is happening behind the scenes as well as questions directed to the minister by Lebanese reporters.The world is more focused on the mediator role that Turkey is playing between Syria and Israel. This is undoubtedly a very important task. However, Lebanese reporters asked Foreign Minister Davutoğlu: “Does Turkey play a role in solving the problems between Lebanon and Syria? For example, does it play a role in determining the border?” The view of Turkey has really changed, and the bar has been raised on expectations from Turkey.
It may be thought that the new role Turkey is playing in international relations, countries and civilizations is limited to problems alone; however, there is more to it. The subject of this visit to Lebanon involves the bridge role Turkey is playing between various groups in the country because Turkey is the only country that has the trust of both Iran and Syria's opposition as well as Saudi Arabia and the West's leading powers.
Davutoğlu, who came to Lebanon over 15 times as the chief advisor to the foreign minister, is very close to all the leaders. For example, he can speak with Shiite El-Amal group's leader and parliamentary leader Nabih Berri as though they are part of the family. He is close enough to prime ministerial candidate Saad Hariri, son of the slain Rafiq Hariri, to give him advice on his personal life. At times the minister, when speaking to Lebanese leaders, explains a situation to them through using verses from the holy Quran as well as the Hadith. When necessary he recalls moments in Islamic history, which his addressees are well versed in. He touches on the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a treaty between the Medinan Muslims and the Quraishi tribe of Mecca.
This visit, in essence, is one which has been brought forward to an earlier date and is part of a call for support by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in a period of ongoing trials to establish a government following the June 7 elections. And previously, at a time when internal tensions soared, Ankara woke up with the following message received from Saad Hariri in the middle of the night: “If you don't wish to see Beirut as an Iranian city, then intervene.” Following this our ambassador to Lebanon put a Turkish flag on his vehicle and went to talk with Hariri. Hezbullah could not be contained. It is said that the only vehicle which was in motion that day was that of the Turkish Embassy.
Davutoğlu ties this trust in Turkey to two factors: Firstly, Turkey is not putting on a show. Its aim is to partake in real and sincere beneficial acts. Its addressees have understood this and are happy. Secondly, Turkey does not tell a side, for example Hariri, to “grab a weapon and fight against Hezbullah.” It warns both Sunnis and Hezbullah that conflict is wrong and that the war in Lebanon will drag the Middle East into a Sunni-Shiite clash.
The bridge role that Turkey plays in internal conflicts is not limited to Lebanon. When speaking with the minister, we learn details about how the last rift between Fatah and Hamas is being eased. We also witness the effort on behalf of the minister to bring together two muftis who have been at odds during his Sanjak visit a week ago, by attending two mosques for the traditional Friday prayer.
What we see at the Turkoman village of Kuvasra is a dimension of the change that the minister labeled “the culture of diplomacy” in Harijiya. The Foreign Ministry takes a great interest in Turks, even if they are in a village in a foreign country. The location is irrelevant -- it could be Afghanistan, the Balkans, Iraq or Lebanon. Just as it was Davutoğlu's first visit to Kuvasra as a minister, our Ambassador Serdar Kılıç has visited Kuvasra five or six times in his one-and-a-half years in post. The village elders say that the ambassador has found a place in their hearts. There is a school in which children can learn Turkish and a medical clinic thanks to the work of the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA). A well will be dug in order to supply water.
Each sentence in the minister's emotional speech is interrupted with applause. The minister, whose academic identity is in the spotlight, takes part in a halay -- a traditional line dance. An elderly lady can't help but perform zılgıt -- a high pitched noise made by women when rejoicing at ceremonies. There are animals sacrificed and the Turkish national anthem is recited along with the Lebanese one. The villagers set off fireworks to celebrate this historic day. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is thanked over and over again for his famous “one minute” stance at Davos earlier in the year.
The Turkish ambassador to Damascus, Ömer Önhon -- one of the delegates present in Lebanon -- is envisioning what will be done for Turks in Syria. We learn that there is a village called Hamidiye on the Syrian side of the border, formed following the loss of Crete.
It is exciting to follow the changes of the Foreign Ministry in the field.
