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| The Grand Turk |
| What lies behind TurkeyÂ’s ambivalence over NATOÂ’s operation in Libya |
| 2011-04-12 |
| A SPATE of anti-Turkish protests has swept rebel-controlled parts of Libya. In Benghazi hundreds of worshippers chanted anti-Turkish slogans after Friday prayers. “Take your beloved Qaddafi and allow us to be armed,” read one placard. On April 6th over 100 people gathered outside the Turkish consulate in Benghazi to demand the removal of the Turkish flag. “Revolutionaries want to arm,” they sang. Their frustration might be shared by Turkey’s more hawkish NATO allies. Turkey’s mildly Islamist AK government is rigidly against plans to arm Libyan rebels who might bring about the removal of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi by force. Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, has been trying to broker a truce even while telling the colonel to step down and allow the establishment of a transition government. So far, no deal. But the dogged Mr Davutoglu refuses to give up. Since the uprising in Libya began, Turkey (caught off guard like others) has been squeamish about foreign intervention. The prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even called the idea “absurd”. He was offended not to be invited to the first Paris conference to discuss Libya (Mr Davutoglu went to the second, in London). Turkish stonewalling has revived old questions about whether Turkey is turning its back on the West. It was only after France and Britain began pounding Libyan air defences that Turkey belatedly backed NATO’s plans to create a no-fly zone. The Turks have since dispatched four frigates, one submarine and an extra warship to Libya. This week a Turkish ferry-turned-hospital took hundreds of Libyans wounded in the fighting off for treatment in Turkey. Most were from the rebel camp. The government has put a brave face on its U-turn, insisting that it moved only because NATO had taken the lead. More likely it feared being left out. This would have put a dent in Turkish claims to be the regional superpower. Yet Turkey remains fiercely opposed to expanding NATO’s role in Libya, saying it should be limited to protecting civilians. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #2 While Turkey may not be a loyal member of Nato, as only potential competitor to Iran for domination of the Caliphate to come it should not be considered a total loss. Better to have the Ottomans battling the Persians if they become too big for their britches. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2011-04-12 19:23 |
| #1 Turkey under Erdogan has become a total loss. Bye, Bye. Flush 'em from NATO - it's a waste of time, energy, money, and information. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2011-04-12 19:16 |