Healing Obama courts Turkey
Barack Obama addresses the Turkish grand national assembly
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Wednesday, 08, Apr 2009 10:27
Barack Obama's visit to Turkey is a testament to the country's strategic importance - as its prime minister is all too aware.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at Chatham House the morning after the G20 summit in London. He explained, at length, why Turkey was in a "different situation in combating the crisis" - in a good way, he argued - compared to other countries.
But when it came to questions, the floor wasn't interested in hearing more figures reeled off. Instead he was asked about Turkey's views towards Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and Nato.
"I thought you would be pushing me into a corner on the economy - but I see now regional problems have the upper hand," he pondered, amused.
While domestic politics is in flux, with the economy underpinning the credibility of Erdogan's government, the world is focused on Middle Eastern issues - and the vitally important role played by Turkey.
A huge area of significance is its status as a traditional bridge between east and west. Turkey is the only Nato member with a predominantly Muslim population; yet its traditional commitment to a wholly secular state makes it unusual for the region.
It was no surprise Obama chose it as the place to launch his campaign at winning back Muslims, therefore.
"I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that the trust that binds the United States and Turkey has been strained, and I know that strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced," the president pressed in his remarks to the Turkish grand national assembly.
"So let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam."
These comments will only serve to reinforce the positive standing most ordinary Turks now hold Obama in. During the Bush presidency, opinion polls indicated that Turkey had the lowest approval rating towards the US of any Muslim majority country around the world - just 12 per cent.
Things have improved since January 20th, with positive feelings improving dramatically. Obama currently enjoys over ratings well over the 50 per cent mark. Will he succeed in keeping these up?
The grounds for optimism are that the new White House administration's foreign policies are distinctly in line with Turkey's, as Erdogan made clear at Chatham House.
Iraq's recovery is in Turkey's interest, he explained, because "we are relatives with them". On the Israel-Palestinian issue, Turkey has previously acted as a mediator between Israel and Syria. And on Iran, he made clear his support for Obama's policy of renewed diplomatic engagement.
"Turkey does not have any animosity or hatred towards anybody," he said. "We want a world based on peace where the neighbouring countries do not hate each other, where the neighbouring countries do not fight."
In short, Turkey wants everybody to be friends; as it happens, on much of its borders they are not. Obama can look to Turkey to assist in the healing process, such as it is.
There's a risk the region's complicated politics might get in the way of Obama's sweeping gestures. This was seen with the arrest of a man allegedly planning to stab the US president on his visit to Turkey.
But the power of rhetoric does have an impact, on public opinion at least, and America's common interest with Turkey is likely to reinforce the positive moves we've seen in the last few days.
"There's an old Turkish proverb: 'You cannot put out fire with flames.' America knows this. Turkey knows this. There's some who must be met by force, they will not compromise. But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is no alternative to extremism," Obama finished.
"The future must belong to those who create, not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and we must work for it together."
Alex Stevenson