Turkey trying to appease Syria

PanARMENIAN.Net - One shouldn’t use that tone with President Assad. In fact, that tone shouldn’t be used with anyone in the Arab world, which, to put it mildly, does not approve of Turkey at all, fairly assuming it to be the successor of the Ottoman Empire in which the Arabs were subordinate to the Ottomans. Erdogan’s “initiative” immediately received a rebuff from Damascus. As Syrian presidential advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said, Ankara shall receive a “decisive response” in reply to Turkish Foreign Minister’s tough message in Damascus, ITAR-TASS reports.

“Davutoglu should expect a decisive reply to the Turkish stance that does not account for savage murders of civilians and Syrian military men by armed terrorist groups,” Shaaban said. In view of this statement, Davutoglu should hardly expect a “warm welcome” in Damascus. Moreover, according to Turkish media reports, Ankara is determined to remind Assad of the situation of leaders in other Arab countries that used violence against their own people, and say: “You yourselves, and not some outside force, must ensure the stability and security in Syria.” The hint to Libya is more than obvious, but we must remember that Erdogan’s call to Muammar Gaddafi “to leave” met a sharp rebuke: “Libya itself will decide who and when must leave.” So, it turns out that the infamous policy of “zero problems with neighbors” is turning into a trouble for the Erdogan government, which is doing its best to raise tension in the region. And then there come the words of top self-confidence from Turkish President Abdullah Gul: “I can say that Turkey is not only an ideal model of democratization for the Arab countries in the Middle East, but they also receive inspiration from us.” Hardly is it possible that the latest top army crackdown may add to Erdogan’s reputation among the ruling Military Council of Egypt, Syria, and Libya.

However, the “independence” of Turkey in the “Arab question” is only the fabrication of official Ankara. How else can you explain the presence of US Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone in the government meeting of Syria? The diplomat’s presence can be explained by the State Department’s “inspiration” from the withdrawal of Ambassadors of Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to Syria. Quite likely the “Libyan scenario” will also be tested in Syria, where Sunnis that make up majority of the population will enter into a fight with the Alevis, who own the power. But after winning the elections of June 12, Erdogan’s government decided there are no insoluble problems before them: you just shout at Al-Assad, Gaddafi and others, and all your problems are gone! However, judging by the turn of events, peace and tranquility in the Arab world are still over the hills and far away.