!ßõ�  ellspacing="0" ce�ÿ+ /TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONS ? TIME FOR RECKONING6!ÕÚà
Ğ="justify">Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, delineated the U.S. administration's perspective on Turkish-American relations in a recent policy speech at the Atlantic Council.  Shortly afterwards, he paid an official visit to Ankara and spoke along the same lines he had earlier drawn in Washington. Ambassador Burns expresses praise for Turkish democracy and respect for the leadership of President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan, along with the anticipation of working closely with them in the period ahead.  He refers to the need of “restoring a sense of strategic partnership to the broad range of U.S.-Turkish relations” and of “rejuvenating” the relationship. 

'uo;rejuvenating” the relationship. 

  He then lists American expectations of Turkey.  The areas where the Turkish side is expected to act include Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Black Sea, the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, NATO, NATO-EU relations, Cyprus and Turkish-Armenian relations.  There is a call for the reopening of the Heybeliada (Greek Orthodox) religious school and the repeal of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.  There is special emphasis on cooperative efforts in the field of energy, highlighting the special importance energy issues holds for the American side.Although it does not contain any new elements, the U.S. approach as stated by Ambassador Burns is positive in tone and constructive in spirit.  There is an effort to address Turkey's concerns over the critical issues of PKK terrorist activity in Iraq and the pro-Armenian resolutions in the U.S. Congress.  Burns promises action on the PKK problem and reiterates the Bush administration's opposition to the Armenian resolutions.  However, this may now not be enough to revitalize the Turkish-American relationship.

  The time for reckoning has arrived.  Deeds must match words.  To affect Turkish public opinion favorably and to restore a functional level of mutual confidence to the relationship, the American side must act against the PKK in Iraq now.  Such action would not only serve to meet Turkey's expectations, but it would also be consistent with Iraq's national interests and the interests of the Kurdish population in Northern Iraq.  Further procrastination will mean more bad news for Turkish-American relationship.  The passage of Armenian resolutions in the Congress would add insult to injury and have a tumultuous impact on the Turkish public.  An American request to transit through Turkey its troops scheduled to be withdrawn from Iraq might meet with a Turkish refusal, leading to deepening estrangement. The American side has been straightforward with its demands.  The Turkish side must respond in similar fashion and state its own its expectations of the U.S. side in equally clear terms.  Aside from the PKK and the Armenian issues, the Turkish list must also include Cyprus, Turkish-Greek relations, Turkish-EU relations, the Nagorno Karabagh problem, Iraq, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process, the Caucasus, bilateral trade, parliamentary exchanges and increased civil society contacts.The task should then be to match the two lists, develop a mutually agreed list of objectives and set timelines for the realization of each common goal whenever possible and as appropriate. 

  There must also be an explicit and business-like understanding over those items that do not make it into the joint list. The Turkish-American relationship is a vital component in the current equation of international relations.  Making this relationship work ought to produce immense benefits in the Middle East, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Balkans, within the Euro-Atlantic community, in secure energy supplies, in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as well as in fostering harmonious relations between different cultures and religions.  The prospects for peace, stability and prosperity in Turkey's vicinity should improve perceptibly if Turkey and the U.S. could join their resources toward the realization of shared objectives.  

  * Dr. Osman Faruk Loğoğlu, is the president of Ankara-based Eurasia Strategic Research Center (ASAM). He is a retired ambassador. During his active diplomatic life he represented Turkey at many countries. He last served as Turkey's ambassador to the United States. He is as well a former undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry. He can be reached at faruklogoglu@gmail.com.