The leader of Turkey's ruling party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, promised Tuesday to continue his country's good relations with Israel and to endeavor to strengthen them. Erdogan, whose Islamic Justice and Progress Party swept into power in Turkey's recent elections, spoke at a meeting with Jewish leaders in Washington and discussed Turkey's relations to Israel and the Jewish world. He assured them he had no intention of harming the close relations between Turkey and Israel or restricting the extensive commercial ties between them. He did not, however, refer directly to the two states' military and security relations, when asked.
Some of the Jewish leaders at the meeting felt that Erdogan wanted to send a message through them, that although he heads an Islamic party, he does not intend to alter the character of the relations with Israel. Erdogan asked for the Jewish community's support in Turkey's efforts to become a member of the European Union, and the Jewish leaders promised him they would act to advance this request. He denounced anti-Semitism in every form and promised to continue acting against any manifestation of it in Turkey.
During meetings with President George Bush and his aides, Erdogan was promised that the United States will help Turkey join the EU, as well as provide a generous support package in case of a war with Iraq. Last week, Turkey promised to allow the U.S. to use its air bases for launching espionage and attack missions in a war with Iraq.
If they won't let them in the EU, invite them to join NAFTA. That would be a nice stick to shove in the euro's eye. |