Prime Minister Erdogan associated the visit with the “Iran, Iraq and Palestine” issues. The tension created by Iran’s initiating a nuclear energy program made the meeting request even more meaningful. Months passed since the rendezvous request, and today’s agenda is quite different. For example, the PKK issue has taken a completely different shape. Turkey’s insistence that “The United States hasn’t taken a concrete step on the subject of terrorist organization in Northern Iraq” prompted the United States to take action. After Turkey repeatedly asked why “Our terrorists are harmless, but yours are more deadly?” the United States assigned a “Special representative in the struggle with the PKK.” After that the agenda of the White House meeting became clearer. The PKK was the first item on the agenda. While Erdogan was traveling to New York, the PKK leader was making a call for the organization to disarm. It is very difficult for Turkey to be convinced with abstract messages. Turkey expected a common stance and common efforts with the United States. This meeting had that kind of significance. The prime minister attributes the utmost importance to relations with the United States, and for that reason he sent three ministers here ahead of him. The situation before the visit was carefully assessed. After Kursad Tuzmen and Mehdi Eker’s visits, Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Gul pitched his tent in the Unites States and held a series of meetings over 20 days.
The prime minister came to the White House with an air of confidence that relations between the two countries would improve. That’s what the assessments said. Turkish-American relations, damaged by the March 1 referendum crisis and anti- American gossip, have improved greatly recently. Prime Minister Erdogan and his staff give great importance to relations with America. Efforts for activities implemented at multiple platforms to succeed have borne results, and the White House meeting carried a lot of importance in respect to showing this. The U.S.’s curiosity regarding Turkey has increased prior to the upcoming presidential and general elections. Americans still see the AK Party as unrivaled. They give importance to steps taken on the EU road, democratization and the empowerment of civilians. While still prohibited from office and not yet in parliament, Tayyip Erdogan was welcomed by the White House. According to the atmosphere reflected in America, the U.S. administration is uncomfortable with the stance of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP). In addition, no powerful rightist party can be seen. Thus, Americans see it as beneficial to maintain close contacts with AK Party.
As history approaches a turning point, the significance of the Erdogan-Bush meeting is quite large. There is a very clear reality: Despite being the topic of many domestic discussions, the atmosphere of trust between the United States and AK Party is at a peak. This will have a positive impact on Turkey’s requests from the United States. Undoubtedly, there will be closer manifestations of steps taken, especially on the subjects of the war against terror, economic cooperation and democratization. At least, with this meeting the two countries renewed their trust.
It’s obvious that there was an air of sincerity yesterday at the White House meeting. The first indications of this warmth were the extension of the one hour meeting by forty-five minutes, and the mutual compliments made after the meeting. The sincere photographs the two governments provided the world public make it obvious enough that a new period has begun and that relations have improved. Perhaps for this reason, the staffs of both countries that attended the meeting say: “We have never had such a positive meeting. An historical event has taken place.” Another reality is that this photograph that emerged is closely related to Turkey’s stability. The weight of a country that has left aside internal fighting and is at the peak of economic developments is heavier in Washington...
October 03, 2006
