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Turkey’s position on Syria contradictory: Expert

Sunday, 21 August 2016 1:25 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 21 August 2016 2:39 PM ]

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim speaks during a meeting with foreign media representatives in Istanbul, August 20, 2016. (AFP photo)

Press TV has conducted an interview with James Petras, a Middle East expert, to discuss the remarks made by Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, saying his country is willing to accept a role for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a transitional period in Syria.

Here is a rough transcription of the interview:

Press TV: The Turkish Prime Minister is saying this about accepting a role for President Assad during the transition period in Syria, does that mean that it is giving it itself an expiration date after six months, perhaps we do not know?

Petras: I do not think it is very clear what the Turkish government’s position actually is. It says contradictory things. On one hand it talks about the possibility of Bashar al-Assad retaining a position in this so-called transition period. On the other hand it sees itself as an ally of the United States, a strategic ally which is opposed to Bashar al-Assad in any form. So I think they are playing both sides against the middle and I do not think it is very convincing.

I think the Turkish government is trying to resolve internal differences that they have, probably a case that some people in the government are looking toward an accommodation with Bashar al-Assad while others are deeply embedded in the US.

The problem with the US strategy is the US is deeply involved in the coup and supporting the Gulen as a resisting extradition and this is going to undermine the possibility of any kind of deep accommodation with the US. We also have to remember that on the one hand Turkey talks about working closer with Iran but at the same time they have deepened their ties with Israel which is a sworn enemy of Iran.

So as one can repeat this over and over again Turkey has no coherent position, it is internally divided and I do not place much confidence in Turkey’s position on the resolution of Syria because its history is one of aggrandizement and opposition to any accommodation with the Kurds and that is not part of Turkey’s agenda.

So ... I do not think one can put too much credence in whatever the Turks say one day to the next and that is a serious problem in any formulation of a strategic foreign policy.

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