The breakfast that began at 07.00 was attended by foreign ambassadors, foreign policy expert academicians, journalists, and businessmen. The Foreign Ministry officials dominated the group of guests. A general was representing the General Staff.
Even though in small numbers, some Turkish guests were wearing Kerry-Edwards pins. By 07.30, it was understood that a miracle was needed for Kerry's elections. Ambassador Eric Edelman could be expected to welcome the election result. He has been posted to Ankara after serving as the foreign policy adviser of Vice President Dick Cheney.
The victory of which candidate would benefit Turkey most? The first four years of Bush in the While House will be recorded down in history, as a period of deep wounds in international affairs because of the imposing behavior of Bush who overlooked law, of damaged bonds of trust between U.S. and the international community and of lessened peace in the world. The election of the democrat candidate might help overcoming the distrust, which emerged in the era of Bush.
The Turkey Record Of Bush
Let us bear in mind that the Bush Administration is the name of an administration which punished Turkey by putting sacks on Turkish soldiers on July 4 in Suleymaniye, after Turkey refused to send troops to Iraq, on March 1. With the chaos it caused in Iraq, U.S. has compelled Turkey to live side-by-side with a great uncertainty for long years.
Turco-U.S. affairs are still undergoing a fragile period in spite of mutual steps that are taken and the statement which are made.
To predict the course of the Ankara-Washington relations in the new period, one has first to see to which extent the Bush Administration will leave the mistakes and style of the previous period, aside.
Concealed Satisfaction In Ankara
Apart from this, the stance of official circles in Ankara could be described as being pleased of the re-election of Bush, for purely pragmatic reasons.
The close working relationship established between President bush and PM Erdogan and Bush appearing to be a president being aware of the geopolitical importance of Turkey, are indicated by these circles as the plus of the new period.
"However, Iraq will probably be the fault line in the Turco-U.S. affairs of the new term.
The most crucial question of the new term is about where President Bush will stand, between the objectives of Iraqi Kurds and Turkey's expectations towards Iraq. The shifting of the balances especially to Kirkuk, might pave way to further strain in the Turco-U.S. relations, than the March 1 permit case.
