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For the military, the developments in Iraq are especially
alarming. Turkey is among the countries that have criticized the
results of the January 30Iraqi elections, which have strengthened
both the Kurdish nationalists and Shiite fundamentalist parties,
both of which are perceived as a threat to Ankara's interest. If
Kirkuk were to come under Kurdish dominance, it could become the base
for a Kurdish state and encourage separatist Kurdish tendencies in
neighboring states as well.
Two recent articles by American authors also caused alarm in
Ankara. Writing in the Wall Street Journal in February under the
headline "The sick man of Europe-again," Robert Pollock sharply
attacked Turkey for "anti-Americanism." In the second article,
Michael Rubin, a former Bush administration advisor associated with
various right-wing think tanks, warned that in the case of insufficient
Turkish cooperation, the US might decide to build a military base in
Iraqi Kurdistan.
The PKK, which in the last five years has done all it could to distance
itself from its militant nationalist past and demonstrate its readiness
to loyally support the Turkish state, has recently shown signs of
renewed radicalism. Just a few weeks ago they readopted their old
name, after renaming the organization several times previously. Their
leader Abdullah Ocalan has developed a perspective of a "Democratic
Confederation," encompassing the Kurds of the whole region, including
Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. The PKK claims that the Turkish army
has carried out major military operations against them.
The generals fear that the discussion about the Armenian genocide, the
EU's insistence on Kurdish rights and the situation in Iraq may revive
the question of oppressed nationalities, undermine the nationalist
state ideology of Kemalism and destabilize the Turkish state.
They aim to counter these dangers by strengthening Turkish nationalism
and simultaneously aligning themselves more closely with the US
and Israel.
During a visit by Erdogan to Israel earlier this month, Ankara and
Tel Aviv agreed to closer collaboration on intelligence. After their
meeting in Jerusalem, the Israeli prime minister and his Turkish
colleague revealed that they had installed a direct telephone line
between their two offices to facilitate this relationship.
In addition, the two countries are reported to have agreed signed a
deal worth US$400-500 million to modernize Turkish fighter jets. In
April they concluded a contract for the delivery of spy drones and
other reconnaissance technology.
Turkey recently concluded a $1.1 billion contract with the US
for the modernization of its 117 F-16 fighter jets. In addition,
Turkey extended a treaty for the use of the Incirlik base by the
US. Both contracts were concluded only after April 24. The Turkish
government wanted to see whether Bush would utter the word "genocide"
in his commemorative address on the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide. He did not.
There are other indications that the US is trying to improve
relations with Turkey. Citing "highly placed Kurdish sources in the
Baghdad government," the English-language Turkish newspaper the New
Anatolian reported May 2 that the US, and in particular the Pentagon,
is pressuring the new Iraqi regime to move against the PKK in northern
Iraq. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld demanded this action during
his recent visit to Iraq, the paper reported.
alarming. Turkey is among the countries that have criticized the
results of the January 30Iraqi elections, which have strengthened
both the Kurdish nationalists and Shiite fundamentalist parties,
both of which are perceived as a threat to Ankara's interest. If
Kirkuk were to come under Kurdish dominance, it could become the base
for a Kurdish state and encourage separatist Kurdish tendencies in
neighboring states as well.
Two recent articles by American authors also caused alarm in
Ankara. Writing in the Wall Street Journal in February under the
headline "The sick man of Europe-again," Robert Pollock sharply
attacked Turkey for "anti-Americanism." In the second article,
Michael Rubin, a former Bush administration advisor associated with
various right-wing think tanks, warned that in the case of insufficient
Turkish cooperation, the US might decide to build a military base in
Iraqi Kurdistan.
The PKK, which in the last five years has done all it could to distance
itself from its militant nationalist past and demonstrate its readiness
to loyally support the Turkish state, has recently shown signs of
renewed radicalism. Just a few weeks ago they readopted their old
name, after renaming the organization several times previously. Their
leader Abdullah Ocalan has developed a perspective of a "Democratic
Confederation," encompassing the Kurds of the whole region, including
Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. The PKK claims that the Turkish army
has carried out major military operations against them.
The generals fear that the discussion about the Armenian genocide, the
EU's insistence on Kurdish rights and the situation in Iraq may revive
the question of oppressed nationalities, undermine the nationalist
state ideology of Kemalism and destabilize the Turkish state.
They aim to counter these dangers by strengthening Turkish nationalism
and simultaneously aligning themselves more closely with the US
and Israel.
During a visit by Erdogan to Israel earlier this month, Ankara and
Tel Aviv agreed to closer collaboration on intelligence. After their
meeting in Jerusalem, the Israeli prime minister and his Turkish
colleague revealed that they had installed a direct telephone line
between their two offices to facilitate this relationship.
In addition, the two countries are reported to have agreed signed a
deal worth US$400-500 million to modernize Turkish fighter jets. In
April they concluded a contract for the delivery of spy drones and
other reconnaissance technology.
Turkey recently concluded a $1.1 billion contract with the US
for the modernization of its 117 F-16 fighter jets. In addition,
Turkey extended a treaty for the use of the Incirlik base by the
US. Both contracts were concluded only after April 24. The Turkish
government wanted to see whether Bush would utter the word "genocide"
in his commemorative address on the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide. He did not.
There are other indications that the US is trying to improve
relations with Turkey. Citing "highly placed Kurdish sources in the
Baghdad government," the English-language Turkish newspaper the New
Anatolian reported May 2 that the US, and in particular the Pentagon,
is pressuring the new Iraqi regime to move against the PKK in northern
Iraq. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld demanded this action during
his recent visit to Iraq, the paper reported.