Turkish-American RelationsLeading up to the Elections

Like every year, I am in Washington for the meetings of the Turkish-American Council to discuss U.S., Turkish and European relations. The main difference in this round – the 31st annual – is that relations between Turkey and the U.S. administration are at an all time high.

Relations between the U.S. and Turkey are considered to be ‘an ideal model’ by the current U.S. administration. Not even during the most difficult periods of the Cold War – when the two nations needed one another the most – was there such an intense and constructive relationship as there is now. They have managed to establish a strong bond of trust. Although American politics has been thrown completely into election mode, the tightened bond between the U.S. and Turkey has been accepted as a national policy – even by the Republicans, who are putting up staunch opposition to Obama.

Recently, there was a meeting attended by the likes of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman and Ankara Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone. Almeida, representative to the E.U. was also in attendance. On the Turkish side, National Security Minister İsmet Yılmaz, Head Investment Officer İlker Aycı, E.U. Ministry Undersecretary Haluk Ilıcak, Foreign Affairs Assistant Undersecretary Halit Çevik and Sugar Agency President Hüsnü Tekin were all notable attendees. Ambassador Namık Tan, as well as Ambassador Ricciardone, followed the meeting closely for two days.

U.S. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Phil Gordon attracted much attention when he read the list of items constituting the relationship between the U.S. and Turkey due to its length and importance. Those items, including policy in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, the Balkans, Caucasia, Cyprus and the E.U., as well energy issues, were discussed in detail over two days.

It seems that Turkey has become a part of the average American’s agenda – something that we are not used to. Throughout the meeting, top managers of foreign firms praised Turkey’s economic performance.

McCain calls for peace

I was fortunate to be able to attend a breakfast meeting with a limited number of participants. Sen. John McCain of the Republican Party was the guest of honor at the breakfast. Although the Republican Party does not care much for its losing presidential candidates, John McCain – who lost the 2008 election to Obama but now plays pivotal roles within the party – is an exception to the rule.

During the lead-up into the election both candidates rank very closely in public opinion polls, so domestic issues stand firmly at the center of the agenda these days.

Perhaps Sen. McCain believes that he will receive an important appointment if Mitt Romney becomes president, which may be the reason he used such a measured yet extremely firm style when speaking about Turkey.

The usual criticism was leveled at Turkey: raising standards of democracy, the freedom of expression, the imprisonment of journalists and the unbelievably lengthy trial periods. McCain brought up a topic that is not typically discussed at such meetings, pointing out the ranks and alarming numbers of military personnel who have been imprisoned. One might be tempted to think that he made these comments on account of his military background, but he is a high-enough caliber politician to think of his responses beforehand. He was very careful in his speech and behavior.

Turkey as a serious role model

McCain used a very laudatory style in the portions of his speech about Turkey. Making it clear that he follows events in Turkey closely, he emphasized that, in his opinion, Turkey is a model not only for the countries affected by the Arab Spring, but for Malaysia and Indonesia as well. He stated that Turkey’s influence can also be seen in the developments in Russia and China.

The senator also stated how impressed he was by this visits to refugee camps along the Syrian border and how grateful he is to Turkey for its handling of the Syrian issue. He criticized Obama harshly, saying that at a moment when the world looks to America for leadership on this issue, the Obama administration is nowhere to be found.

Recalling the example of Bosnia-Herzegovina, he reminded the audience of how a U.N. intervention was not expected to stop crimes against humanity in the region. According to McCain, Iran is already actively involved in combat in Syria, while Russia provides the military supplies that keep Assad in power.

McCain’s assertion, “We didn’t wait in Kosovo, why do we wait when Muslims are dying?”* seems to be an attempt to create a stir in the international community and to make President Obama uncomfortable.

McCain, however, was uncompromising on Turkey’s impasse with Israel. Everyone in America is very disturbed by the failure to resolve the situation and Sen. McCain used a very critical tone when discussing Turkey’s stance. Following the Mavi Marmara attack, he made his views clear by asking a participant what business those boats had in those waters. Apologizing to the attendees, he said that this issue shouldn’t be part of the meeting’s agenda. He then moved onto a very similar topic — the accidental killing of Pakistani forces by American soldiers. This segue made the attendees uncomfortable and confused, as it was unclear what the Mavi Marmara and Pakistani soldiers’ killings had to do with one another.

The meeting ended on a very moderate note, with McCain declaring that he would like to spend his retirement living on the coast of the Bosporus. If one remembers Hilary Clinton’s adulation of the Bosporus last week, it would be fair to say that the strait is quite fashionable in Washington these days.

*Editor’s note: This quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.