http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/10/international/middleeast/10TURK.html New York Times April 10, 2002 REGIONAL TIES With a Word, Israeli-Turkish Strain Surfaces By DOUGLAS FRANTZ
ISTANBUL, April 9 — Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit of Turkey told a gathering of his political party last week that Israel's military raids into the West Bank were genocide.
Israel might have ignored the statement had it come from another Muslim leader, but Turkey is Israel's best friend in the region. So Mr. Ecevit's choice of words set off protests that heightened strains in a relationship of strategic importance to both countries and to the United States.
"We have some common interests in the Middle East, but whether we can sustain the relationship with what is happening now in Palestine is a question," Ilter Turkmen, a retired Turkish diplomat and foreign minister, said today.
Pro-Islamic politicians in the opposition have called for a re-evaluation of Turkey's ties with Israel, and mainstream politicians and newspapers have joined in condemning what they describe as Israeli aggression.
As much as Turkish politicians may want to criticize Israel, however, they are restricted by deep military and economic bonds. While other governments in the region have kept Israel at arm's length, the Turks have embraced it.
Turkey recently awarded Israel a $670 million contract to modernize 170 M-60 tanks. Israel already was upgrading Turkish warplanes in a deal worth nearly $1 billion. Turkey also provides airspace for Israeli military exercises, and the countries share intelligence and military technology.
Bilateral trade topped $1 billion last year, and long-running negotiations are continuing for Turkey to sell Israel $50 million to $75 million worth of water annually. Israelis are among the most numerous tourists on Turkey's Mediterranean coast.
"We live in the same region, and we face the same reality," said David Sultan, Israel's ambassador to Turkey.
The friendship has multiplied Turkey's influence in Washington. The pro-Israeli lobby argued Turkey's case for increased international financial aid. American Jewish organizations have lobbied on Turkey's behalf against attempts by Armenian-Americans to have the killing of Armenians between 1915 and 1921 in Turkey declared a genocide.
"We have put a lot of effort in on behalf of Turkey," said Barry Jacobs, director of strategic studies in Washington for the American Jewish Committee. So his organization and other American Jewish groups were stung and angered when Mr. Ecevit said at a party meeting in Ankara that "genocide is being committed" against the Palestinians.
Nine organizations, including B'nai B'rith and the Anti-Defamation League, fired off a letter telling the Turkish leader that his remark was "absolutely wrong as fact and offensive as comment." Israel also lodged diplomatic complaints.
The next day, Mr. Ecevit downplayed his statement, saying his words only reflected concerns felt in the region and Turkey.
Other Turkish officials hurried to repair the damage by assuring Israeli and American diplomats that Turkey's basic policy remained unchanged.
"Turkey's relations with Israel are based on sound foundations," a senior Turkish government official said today. "We believe these relations will play an important role in ensuring peace in the region."
The Israelis had no desire to fan the flames either. Mr. Sultan said Israel was satisfied with Mr. Ecevit's clarification. [huh?-pk]