Why Isn’t America Interfering with Ergenekon

The president of the American-Turkish Council, retired ambassador James Holmes, was in Turkey two weeks ago. He announced that he will be attending the annual conference of the council, from June 10 to 13 in Washington, along with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, American Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, and Turkish and American businesspeople.

I spoke with Holmes a year ago in the American-Turkish Council office in Washington. This year at our meeting in Istanbul my first question was, “Why did Turkish-American relations change this year?” Smiling he said, “The relationship changed 180 degrees.” He went on to explain that everyone in Washington was under the same impression. He emphasized that Turkish-American relations are in their most productive period in the last 20 years, not only from a commercial aspect, but from a political one as well. There is one exception, the topic of Israel…

We Are in the Same Boat

With the May 2010 attack on the Mavi Marmara, American-Turkish relations entered a critical period. Both sides still have different viewpoints on the topic of Israel. However, the interesting thing is that Washington and Ankara have separated the Israeli issue from other topics, putting it in a “box” to prevent it from negatively affecting the countries’ relationship.

What happened to cause the relationship with America to reach its best period in 20 years? According to Holmes, “The world is changing quickly. When talking about the Arab Spring and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, it means that the security environment is changing. Turkey and the USA have realized that they are in the same boat. At upper levels, a much higher level of communication is being seen. On a personal level, Obama and Erdogan say that they are very close.”

What about Syria; how is Turkey’s stronger stance being evaluated by the United States? Holmes said that he didn’t believe anyone is enthusiastic about the military option. However, he has been surprised by the tone and content of Erdogan’s speeches on Syria. He went on to say, “A large investment was made in terms of the Zero-Problem-With-Neighbors policy. I believe that both the prime minister and foreign minister take a deep personal interest in Syria. There has been more direct criticism then I could have imagined. America is not upset about this. In fact, they are quite pleased.”

Holmes said that in regards to America and Turkey’s position on the Middle East, it is not Syria, but rather Iraq with which they are most troubled.

In our discussion of the continuing judicial problems in Turkey, the president of the American-Turkish Council referred to something interesting, saying, “The thing that has surprised me is this: On the topic of the Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trial, the detainment without due process of upper military commanders (who up until recently were in charge), and jailed journalists, the American government has been almost completely silent. I believe because these are really complicated issues, the United States has made the decision not to intervene.”

Is it possible that the United States, who in the past took an interest in and fought against human rights violations in Turkey, is currently turning a blind eye to the current situation? Holmes’ answer is clear, “Yes, it is possible. Just like the topic of Israel, the matters of due process and freedom of expression have been put in a separate box. Clinton broached the subject of the imprisoned journalists once. Apart from this, they have not allowed these problems to affect Turkish-American relations. America, who in the past strictly followed human rights violations in Turkey, is currently choosing not to involve itself in national issues.”

As Holmes said, the world is changing rapidly.

I’m Sad for Basbug

American-Turkish Council President Holmes served in the Ankara Embassy from 1992 to 1995. Holmes, who knows that dark period very well, said that the political maturity which Turkey has attained today is very important.

Here are some quick notes from our chat:

• The New Constitution: “I hope that the framework which is released has the support of not just one party, but a wide swath of society. Quick and fair trials can only be achieved with legal reforms. Whether it is a soldier, journalist, activist, is not important… If you hold one person for one, three, even five years without a trial, there is a human rights problem there.”
• The transfer of power from the army and the trials of military officials: “Turkey is experiencing an interesting political transformation. I didn’t think that the transfer from a military system to a civil system could be this quick. The imprisonment of former Army Chiefs Ilker Basbug, and Cevik Bir… Maybe there will be more. The 2007 intervention will also be discussed.”
• The Sledgehammer Trial: “I feel bad for Basbug. As far as I know, he was a standup person and an honest soldier. I don’t think he would attempt to do anything that would hurt Turkey. Accusing him of being a member of a terrorist organization is like an insult.”