SC membership, possible problems ahead

Sometimes we exaggerate things to such an extent they get out of control. The United Nations Security Council temporary membership is one such example. This news caused the whole country to exalt. We hugged and congratulated each other on this unbelievable achievement! As if that was not enough, the international public was aroused and got in line to congratulate Turkey on its big triumph. The prime minister was hosted in New York’s most famous restaurant, everyone no matter whether their vote was for or against Turkey applauded. Expenses were on the company.

If we are unable to slow down, we will pronounce that the world is bowing before us.

A temporary membership to the Security Council is a nice thing but this event needs to be kept within realistic dimensions. It would be nice if we did not act as if we were pronouncing victory at Çanakkale, for there are two sides to the coin, and if we are not careful, Ankara could encounter a lot of problems. Let us put exaggerated celebrations to one side and look at the other side of the coin. Let us have a look at problems we should expect.

First idea emerged in 2003 by two diplomats
This idea was first brought up in 2003 by Altay Cengizer, a permanent deputy representative of the United Nations. Our permanent representative in New York, Ümit Pamir, saw the timing as perfect and sent a telegraph to then minister of foreign affairs, Abdullah Gül.

Steps taken by the AKP with regard to Cyprus and the European Community, despite the AKP breaking taboos as a pious party struggling to integrate with the western world, were very effective during that period.

The telegraph with ambassador Ümit Pamir’s proposal caused Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gül to give the order to activate all required mechanisms. That day is today, Gül foremost, the staff of foreign affairs and the Prime Ministry have put in a lot of effort. For five years meetings were held. In the meantime, Turkey’s contribution to peace in the Middle East, the president’s visit to Armenia and the role played during the Georgian war directly influenced the positive result.

Turkey finally made it. Turkey has been elected as a temporary member to the United Nations Security Council for two years. It will share this duty with Austria. Now preparations for the celebration have started. Yet we should put bragging to one side and start planning what is necessary to act out the temporary membership in a decent way.

I talked to diplomats who formerly served as permanent representatives in New York. I also talked to foreign diplomats who served in the United Nations Security Council and I can see that Ankara is looking at difficult times ahead. Upfront, the Turkish delegation consists of eight to nine people, it needs to be increased to 15 to 20. It is crucial these carefully chosen diplomats and secretariats be formed by people who have a command of English and are skilled in foreign policy.

What is more important, is the team needs to be headed by a delegate trusted by the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, who is able to act without waiting for authorization from headquarters for every decision, or whoever it is that is appointed, should receive the necessary authorization to act. The council’s work is progressing at a fast pace and because of the time difference, Ankara’s habits cannot continue. A bureaucracy that waits for confirmation from the prime minister or who does not act on his own, does not work in New York. You cannot tell the Security Council to "wait until we ask the prime minister how to use our vote." The other important problem is the upcoming conflict with regard to Ankara’s domestic politics, and policies regarding the United States and European Community.

Turkey’s policies regarding Iran and the United Nations Security Council’s enforcement preparations, are in conflict. What will Ankara do when an enforcement decision leads to a poll? Will it support Tehran or the U.S.-EU bloc? How will we use our vote in developments regarding Russia-Georgia, or Sudan, or the Middle East? These possibilities need to be taken into account, so our politics that do not match other members of the Security Council, can be identified and a way can be sought on how to find mutual ground. In other words, the other side of the coin brings not only the Çanakkale victory but also some difficulties. The foreign affairs team is strong enough to handle this. As long as the prime minister does not constantly try to govern this matter via phone.