Does the Shield Protect Us?

The name of the project is “missile shield! … ”

We have been discussing this for days, but the USA is so determined.

It is putting forward various options, even working via NATO channels instead of the U.N., saying that “Turkey should sacrifice for a safer U.N.”

It does everything needed to keep Turkey under its thumb.

In other words, “Operation Upset and Confuse Poor Turkey” is underway. Do we have to accept this missile shield? Is this shield an indispensable project for the U.N.?

Our answer to both of these questions is no!

According to strategists, “If we take this missile shield, it will be a repeat of the Operation Provide Comfort mistake that took place between the 32nd and 36th parallels in Iraq in 1991! … ”

What is the point of making the same mistake?

If it is not settled, relations between the U.S. and Turkey will become tense!

Maybe not as tense as the Iraq permit crisis on March 1, 2003, but we will have a crisis with the U.S.*

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Somehow, somebody keeps on acting.

The missile shield is attracting attention as “the new Trojan horse” of Turkey-Iran relations.

The important thing for us is the stability and economic development of the region. Iran and Turkey have been close friends for a long time. Iran devotes a large amount of money for investing; so, we must now think how to develop economically as well. Please note: you will be hearing a lot about Van (a province in eastern Turkey) soon, because it is our window to Iran.

If we can organize our economic relations as we wish, Van can become the Gaziantep (a more developed, industrialized province in South Central Turkey) of the region in 10 years! Investments in construction, machinery, natural gas and energy may generate both employment and increase production capacity. If we utilize this economic situation, Iran may cause a 1-2 [percentage] point increase in Turkey’s growth potential in the near-term.

***

However, there are three caveats:

-The USA has imposed very serious sanctions on Iran.

-Petrochemical and chemical products are under blockade.

-International banks will not open letters of credit to Iran.

So, how will it work?

It does not matter who the ruling party is, we all need to understand Iran. Those opposing parties who enjoy the hostilities between the U.S. and Turkey should especially think carefully. And the ruling party should embrace not only its supporters, but all economic classes for the good of Turkey.

*On March 1, 2003, the Turkish Assembly rejected an American request to station troops in Turkey at the start of the Iraq war.