US president warns against losing Turkey as West’s ally

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2 responses to “US president warns against losing Turkey as West’s ally”

1. 

   Kufi Seydali

   July 14, 2010

   OPEN LETTER

   Dear Mr. President,

   It is indeed delightful and most satisfying that you found such words
   with regards to the stalling tactics of the EU. Satisfying indeed,
   because those same words were the words of Ismet Inonu, who was
   threatened by US President Lyndon Johnson over Cyprus in 1964.
   While Greeks and Greek Cypriot nationalist elements were busy butchering
   the Turkish Cypriots, Johnson prevented Turkey from acting against
   the brutal, Greek teror. Yes, the result of that unwise decision by Johnson
   was pushing Turkey closer to Russia and the development of the Turkish
   armament industry – thank God. Those developments made the 1974 intervention
   in Cyprus necessary and possible, and replaced the Greek military Junta (1967 – 1974)
   by a democratic regime – again thanks to Turkey.

   Now Mr. President, it is good that you give such messages and lessons to
   the Europeans, but, what about you playing the Armenian and Kurdish cards
   against Turkey? Believe me Sir, you disappointed the Turkish nation as much as
   the Europeans have been doing over EU membership. Turkey contributed a great
   deal to European and North Atlantic defence which has now been rewarded by
   ungratefulness. Sir, the USA was seen as a great Nation and a reliable ally, until
   it became a toy in the hands of Diaspora groups following their own agendas
   and serving foreign, national interests. We know that you have a difficult job
   satisfying the Armenian, Greek and Jewish lobbies, but, please remember the
   interests of the American and Turkish nations who expect just that from you.
2. 

   haluk

   July 19, 2010

   “Turkey’s new regional prominence has transformed a static Cold War barrier into a potential catalyst for regional peace, prosperity, and stability. But this change cannot be taken for granted and requires support from the EU and the US. The West has never owned Turkey, so debating who “lost” it is pointless. What is needed, instead, is a serious debate about the conditions that will allow Turkey to fulfill its transatlantic promise.”
   –Kemal Kirisci, Nathalie Tocci and Joshua Walker, “Turkey’s Transatlantic Value”, 28.03.2010

   Kemal Kirisci
   Professor of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul.

   Nathalie Tocci
   Nathalie Tocci is Senior Fellow at the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Rome, Associate Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, and Associate Editor of The International Spectator. She is currently Senior Fellow at the Transatlantic Academy in Washington.

   Joshua Walker
   Joshua Walker is a fellow at the Transatlantic Academy.