By Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe Wall Street Journal
March 31st, 2003
ANKARA-Turkey enjoys historical, cultural and traditional ties with the Middle East, and promotes cordial relations with all countries and peoples of the region. A source of instability and concern in the region is the situation of our neighbor, Iraq. After more than a decade since the liberation of Kuwait, the Iraqi problem remains unresolved.
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For the last six months in particular, Turkey has been compelled to pay close attention to the Iraqi crisis. The 58th Turkish Government, established after the elections last November, dedicated most of its work to the Iraq issue. The 59th government, of which I have just been appointed prime minister, has also engaged itself with Iraq, literally on a day-and-night basis. My Justice and Development Party government as exerted every effort so that the Iraqi problem would not lead to war, and so that new sufferings could be prevented.
The U.N. inspectors, while acknowledging in their reports that Iraq’s cooperation was gradually increasing, also stressed that Iraq was elusive in providing conclusive information on the chemical and biological elements it is known to possess. As a result, it has been concluded that Iraq’s cooperation, as far as substance was concerned, fell short of the requirements as set forth in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441.
In our suggestions to Iraq at the highest level, we emphasized time and again the need for openness with regard to the chemical and biological material they may possess. We also stressed that small and occasional steps forward would not prevent war. Our worries have, unfortunately, proven justified.
In regard to Iraq, the Turkish government has, on three occasions, sought authority to act from our National Assembly. On Feb. 6, the motion regarding site preparation was approved. As the U.S.-led military operation loomed, a second motion on March 1-to authorize sending Turkish troops abroad as well as the deployment of foreign troops in Turkey-failed to receive the constitutionally required majority. This result and its reasons were widely and publicly discussed in a democratic environment. It seems that the shared concern among Turkish parliamentarians was the need to take account of Turkish public opinion, as well as the losses we were bound to incur in a war.
The developments that ensued clearly demonstrated that a war was imminent. In this respect, Turkey’s choice was not one of war or peace; instead, the country had to choose ways in which to minimize the effects of such a war in our immediate vicinity-while supporting our strategic ally, the United States.
The relations between Turkey and the U.S. are based on a long-standing friendship. From the outset of the Iraqi crisis we have been in close consultation with Washington, which is not only our ally but also our strategic partner. Indeed, the U.S. made numerous requests to us seeking support in the operation. Turkey did not ignore them, but appraised them very seriously, in a manner compatible with the fabric of close relations between our two countries.
Contrary to some reports in the U.S. media, and to an extent in the Turkish press, our discussions at no point entailed a bargaining for dollars. To the contrary, we have maintained the understanding that in bad days the two allies need to act shoulder-to-shoulder. Turkey has indeed been alongside the United States in nearly every major military conflict, from Korea to the Gulf War, from Bosnia to Somalia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Based on an urgent U.S. request on March 19, we reapplied to the National Assembly to get authorization for the opening of Turkish air space to the coalition forces led by the U.S. The Assembly approved this request on March 20, the day the war began in Iraq. Turkish air space was made available to the coalition forces on the very next day.
The Assembly has further authorized my government to deploy the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq. In this regard we are witnessing certain doubts, an unease in some circles in northern Iraq, as well as in the U.S. and some European countries. This is unnecessary. Turkey has no intention to fight in a war in northern Iraq, let alone fire a single bullet. We have no desires on our neighbor’s natural resources either. Yet we vividly remember the influx of 500,000 refugees escaping from the atrocities of Saddam Hussein in the last Gulf War. We do not wish to go through the same experience again.
The aim of a limited deployment on the Iraqi side along our border is to control such an influx of refugees while providing them with humanitarian aid in an effective manner. Furthermore we need to take precautionary measures for possible intrusions by PKK/Kadek terrorists, who are concentrated in the region. In sum, Turkey’s military presence in northern Iraq is envisaged with full cooperation and coordination with the U.S., as well as with the Kurdish groups in the region.
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Turkish policy regarding Iraq rests on openness and sincerity, and Turkey’s policy is clear. The territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq must be preserved. Iraq’s political system should be determined by the democratic participation and consent of the Iraqi population. Furthermore, the natural resources of Iraq are the wealth and property of the Iraqi nation as a whole. These resources should in no way be apportioned among population groups.
The Arab, Kurdish, Turkmen and other peoples that constitute Iraq are linked to Turkey by kinship. We wish them freedom, democracy, human rights and a prosperous future. Turkey will strive for peace and durable stability in the region alongside the U.S., her strategic partner and ally for more than half a century. We are determined to maintain our close cooperation with the U.S. We further hope and pray that the brave young men and women return home with the lowest possible casualties, and the suffering in Iraq ends as soon as possible.
Mr. Erdogan is the prime minister of Turkey
