Iran, Turkey, Syria axis alarms the West and Israel, By Saybhan Samat

For years Turkey has tried to join the European Union (EU) however Turkey ’s application for entry here been rejected time and again. Turkey continues its efforts to join the European Union, despite the open determination of some members of the EU such as Germany and France to exclude it. All this despite relations between Turkey , Israel and the West have been very strong. Turkey has military and economic ties with Israel and the US and is a member of the NATO, contributing the second largest army of the organization.

Turkey was the among the first to recognize Israel in 1949 and subsequently developed strong military and economic ties with it, no doubt under pressure from their common, ally, the US. Under such military alliance, Turkey received military arms, and the two held joint military exercises.

Now all that is changing to the disadvantage of Israel and the West. The invasion of Gaza, the mass murder of Palestinians by the Israel army last January have led the government of Recep Tayyip Erodogen to down grade those relations and establish firmer diplomatic and economic relations with Turkey’s Muslim neighbours who play crucial roles in the sensitive Middle-East.

Formerly both Iran and Syria had bad relations with Turkey , to the extent of even being engaged in military confrontation with each other. A few years ago, for instance, Turkey massed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Syria because Damascus had been backing the PKK, the Kurdish separatist group.

Presently the co-operation between Syria and Turkey is such that they have lifted the requirement of visas for travelers to cross their common borders. Another very significant development that caught the attention of the West and Israel was that in the early part of this year Turkey and Syria held their first joint military exercise: the first between a member state of NATO and an Arab country. In addition Turkey ’s trade with Syria is now up 40% from last year.

Besides Turkey , the West and Israel are more alarmed about Turkey ’s new friendship with Islamic Iran, than those improvements with Syria its neighbour. Iran is a different kettle of fish-Iran is strictly Islamic, fiercely independent, and shows no readiness to compromise with or accept, dictation from the West and Israel over issues vital to Muslim countries or interests; this is one of the reasons for which the US. Israel and the Europeans are determined to isolate Iran .

Turkey’s relations with Iran has burgeoned in the last couple of months President Ahamadinejad visited Turkey for two days on November 8th and 9th after  Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erodogen went to Iran on an official trip in October boosting bilateral ties between the two countries. Erodogen defended Iran ’s nuclear programme and declared that it is for peaceful purpose. Iran and Syria co-operates in the field of energy, tourism, cultural and international issues. Both have a common Islamic heritage. The initial target for the increase of trade relations is$20 Billion up from the existing US$ 11, BILLION. Iran has also suggested a joint airline by Iran and Turkey to streamline bilateral trade. Turkey in fact is willing to help in the vexed question of the Iranian nuclear enrichment programme. Iranian and Turkish officials held talks on a proposal by the Chief of the UN nuclear agency for Iran ’s enriched uranium to be sent to Turkey for processing into reactor fuel, as an alternative to a plan for Russia to do the work.

This new development between 3 Muslim countries coming together is viewed by the West and Israel as an existential threat. Facing defeat in Afghanistan and growing solidarity between Muslim countries in the sensitive Middle-East, is a sure recipe for disaster. The West and Israel could either increase demonization of Iran and once again call the three countries Iran , Syria and Turkey the “axis of evil” or realize that they have been unfair in relations with these countries and come to some sort of reconciliation and negotiation to give concessions to the demand of these 3 countries. The first demand of these countries would be to punish the war criminals of the Gaza war in December 08-January 2009.

The Gaza issue is of primary concern after Justice Richard Goldstone reported that the cases of 36 Palestinians out of 1400 who were brutally murdered by Israeli forces. In its 23 day carnage, Israel destroyed factories, homes, schools, hospitals and mosques. Gaza ’s sole flour mill was also destroyed while the tiny patch of desert that is home to 1.5 million Palestinians was under tight siege. It continues even today as confirmed by the Goldstone report.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) finally passed a resolution on October 16th supporting Justice Richard Goldstone’s report pertaining to Israel ’s war on Gaza . The UNHRC called on the Security Council to take up the matter of war crimes and refer the matter to the International Criminal Court. All these Muslim countries and the world are asking for justice, without which there would be no peace. Justice is indeed very sweet!