And this is what Israeli hawks should worry about....
June 1, 2001
Arab nations decry Turkey's Israel ties
By Andrew Borowiec
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Middle Eastern capitals are increasingly critical of Turkey´s growing economic and military cooperation with Israel, regarding such relations as a betrayal of Islamic solidarity. Of particular concern to the Arabs are Turkey´s plans to ship water to Israel. So far Turkey has shrugged off Middle Eastern criticism, claiming that its secular form of governance cannot base foreign policy on religion.
The attacks -- in the Arab and Iranian media and official statements -- have increased in recent weeks, mainly because of the intensity of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The Arabs and Iranians feel that Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, has shown little interest in the "Palestinian cause."
Turkey at present is preoccupied with an economic crisis and problems in its application to join the European Union. It has carefully stayed out of the Middle Eastern imbroglio while applauding U.S. mediation efforts by special envoy William Burns.
According to Greek political commentator Giorgios Kapopoulos, "For an entire decade, Ankara has managed to couple its national interests in the Middle East with the strategic policies of the United States." Diplomats say Turkey is more concerned about its future relations with Iran than the situation in the heart of the Middle East.
[snip]
washtimes.com
So long as Europeans can keep Turkey's European hopes alive, the Kemalist, pro-West elites of Turkey will keep the upper-hand... but, one day, the Turks are gonna see the light and realize they've been fooled all along --just as the Palestinians have been by the Jews-- and on that day, goddammit, an Iranian scenario is likely to break out.... |
