The Hindu : India, Turkey set up JWG on terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 18, 2003

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India, Turkey set up JWG on terrorism

By Harish Khare

ANKARA SEPT. 17. India and Turkey have established a "complete identity of views" on the need to combat global terrorism and they appear to have achieved a convergence of views on the situation in Iraq, including an increased role for the United Nations before either country could examine afresh the question of sending troops to Iraq.

This morning, the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and his host, Tayyip Erdogan, had one-to-one talks and then delegation-level discussions.

After the two-hour long talks, the two countries initialled three agreements, including the setting up of a Joint Working Group on terrorism.

The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan, described the Joint Working Group as "an example of new approach to the problem" of tackling international terrorism.

Mr. Vajpayee said the group was being set up to "enhance our cooperation against this grave threat to democratic societies. Both India and Turkey have suffered greatly from terrorism".

The Indian side exuded a sense of satisfaction over the talks. One senior participant even said that "we found an echo" on the Turkish side on the issue of terrorism. Also, it was enthused by the "chemistry between the two Prime Ministers". The Indian delegation, indeed, had good reason to be pleased.

The Turkish Prime Minister said all that India wanted to hear on the issue of terrorism. Talking to reporters after the official talks, Mr. Erdogan disapproved of a selective approach to terrorism. "Terrorism is terrorism. Terrorism is not confined to any religion, any race or any nationality. It is a phenomenon by itself." At the same time, he cautioned against creating "artificial terror, artificial terrorists and artificial terrorism".

At the delegation-level talks, the two countries reiterated that they could put in place a "durable partnership" based on a positive affinity of democracy and secularism as well as on a perceived need to counter fundamentalism and terrorism. The Indian side appeared to be particularly pleased that Turkey did not display any kind of pro-activism in wanting to sort out India-Pakistan relationship.

There was no mention of Pakistan or Kashmir: this, it was pointed out, stood in sharp contrast to the mood in June 2002, when the Turkish Parliament passed a resolution urging the Government to "play a role" in the India-Pakistan standoff.

It was a resolution that India "did not like"; and, now, the Turkish side chose not to raise Kashmir or Pakistan.

Mr. Erdogan told reporters that if at all Turkish troops were sent to Iraq, the decision would be based not on account of concern with one ethnic group (the Kurds) but what was best in the interests of the Iraqi people.

Mr. Vajpayee also noted that "there was no clarity as yet" on what the new Security Council resolution was all about and that "when the Security Council does take action, we will take a decision, keeping all aspects in mind, including our internal security situation".

There was a convergence of views on what needs to be done in Iraq. India and Turkey agree that the territorial integrity of Iraq must be maintained, that all possible help to the Iraqi people be made available, that the political process must begin in Iraq so that sovereignty can be transferred back to the people of Iraq, and that eventually the control of economic resources devolves on to Iraq.

Not for Arafat removal

Mr. Vajpayee was asked by Turkish reporters about the situation in the Middle East. He said he had made it clear to the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, during his recent visit to India that the "cycle of violence" would not achieve anything. He also put on record that India would not support the removal of Yasser Arafat, who was an elected leader of the Palestinians.

On Afghanistan, India shared with Turkey "our concern on regrouping of the Taliban".On the bilateral front, the two agreed to energise the political ties. It was decided that the Foreign Ministers meet at least once a year, and the Commerce, Defence and Tourism Ministers would keep in active touch. Efforts should be made to increase the trade between the two countries to one billion dollars from $650 million.

The Prime Minister had a busy day today. Beginning with the ceremonial laying of a wreath at the Mausoleum of Kamal Ataturk, he led the official talks, and later attended a luncheon hosted by Mr. Erdogan.

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