The Turkish miracle
Almost 70 years to the day, Ataturk laid the foundations of modern Turkey. As this Eurasian nation prepares to enter the last lap leading to the 21st Century, what Mustafa Kamal Pasha wrought is already visible as a miracle to the entire world.
Turkey sits at the geo-political crossroads of the world, a bridge between Asia and Europe, not only geographically but culturally. Astride one of the most strategic regions in the entire world, its very location gives it an identity crisis. It is clearly a European country that cannot shed its Asian image, if previously for historical and cultural affinities, now for economic ones. During the cold war, Turkey was the frontline State facing the Soviet Union, a NATO ally since 1952 it was an indispensable cornerstone of US and western policy. In South Korea, a Turkish Brigade distinguished itself by covering the retreat of UN Forces, fighting almost to the last man last round but not surrendering to overwhelming communist forces. Unlike Pakistan which rapidly lost its utility value after the dissolution of the Soviet Empire, Turkey’s geographical location as well as its historical and cultural affiliations with Central Asia to the East and the Balkans to the West confirms its pre-eminent status in western eyes.
The last 12 years have seen Turkey maintain an average annual growth rate of over 5% in its GDP despite a constant inflation factor of over 65%. Except for China, which has maintained 12%, no other country has been so steady and constant in its growth rate. While Ataturk brought Turkey pell mell into the 20th century, it was the lately deceased President Turgat Ozal who created the means in Turkey for the economic emancipation that one is now witness to. Blessed with two extremely decisive leaders in one century, the economic miracle that one sees in modern Turkey is clearly Ozalian. While it was Suleyman Demeril, the present President, who as PM signed the decree for privatisation in 1980, the whole range of liberalizing reforms and the break-up of the monopolistic and uneconomic State Economic Enterprises (SEEs) was the result of the dynamic and assertive Turgat Ozal who as PM pursued policies of economic freedom in the teeth of a stiff and unyielding bureaucratic resistance. About US$2.5 billion of privatisation is scheduled for this year, almost US$30 billion remains. In a world increasingly short of liquidity because of widespread privatisation, this may become a painfully slow and excruciating experience, frustrating at times. To come out of the embrace of unproductive state monopolies, Turkey has to bear this cross, hopefully the process will accelerate and finish by the year 2000.
Despite its Muslim origin and deeply religious feelings among its masses, the country is very much secular in character and the population clearly cherishes this status, jealously guarding against encroachment by religious fanaticism. Fundamentalism has no future in this country, its past was eradicated by Ataturk but from time to time there are isolated incidents. Turkey is extremely nationalistic, its people are proud of their heritage and revel in it as well as their independence. Free of ethnic and sectarian divisions that tend to divide other countries in the region, Turkey’s handling of the problems of a few fanatical Kurds in its Eastern Anatolia Province is firm but sophisticated. It extends no apologies for its firm stand in stamping out terrorism. Turkey has an extremely professional and well equipped Armed Forces, confident of deterring aggression from any quarter. The country’s foreign policy has been extremely pragmatic in dealing with its troublesome and volatile neighbours. Generally self-effacing and extrovert with respect to internal affairs, the Turks are extremely decisive and united in matters of national interest, they do not hesitate to assert themselves in a crisis as seen in their quick and forceful occupation of the Turkish portion of Cyprus in 1974 in the face of a possible Greek takeover and stiff world resistance. Similarly its attitude towards the Kurds is simple, those living within boundaries of Turkey for a 1000 years are Turkish and any attempt by a minority to change the status would be severely dealt with, a very clear-cut and unambiguous statement of intention that brooks no interference by other nations, terrorism is not tolerated by anybody.
While Turkey has a distinct advantage in Central Asia because of the use of Turkic language, it has moved into the region clearly as a partner rather than seeking to acquire a dominant status. While other countries have been quick to seize on the Muslim character of these newly independent states (NIS), the Turks have been able to allay such fears as well as that of the export of religious feelings, of which the NIS are deeply apprehensive about. The net result is that the NIS are increasingly looking towards Turkey for economic leadership, one manifestation has been the change in the alphabet to Cyrillic, the same as employed by modern Turkey. In essence, Turkey is looked on as a leader despite its ingrained reluctance. The figures of economic partnership speak for itself, at least 6,800 businesses of Turkish origin have come up in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhastan, almost US$5.5 billion worth of investment. While most of these are small businesses on the pattern of Turkish investments in Europe, 30,000 businesses funded by small entrepreneurs, the stamp of major Turkish business groups in construction and trading is being clearly felt in the field projects in airport construction/renovation, highways, public infrastructure such as telecommunication, transportation, etc. More and more western businesses are acquiring Turkish partners before moving into Central Asia, a tacit acceptance and recognition of Turkey’s expertise and reputation in the region. Above all, private sector initiatives are clearly visible, the Government has wisely opted for a more subdued role while backing them to the hilt.
Turkey has been trying to get into the European Common Market since 1959. The intelligentsia is united in its determination to get into the EEC despite the fact that EEC countries have delayed the application on one pretext or the other. While Customs union is less than two years away, full EEC membership may not come before the year 2000. Within Turkey there is virtually no debate about entering the EEC but observers may find it difficult to understand why Turkey would elect to abandon its pre-eminent Asian position in ECO and the Black Sea Association of States to opt for a lowly member status within the EEC, an organisation that really needs Turkey but stalling membership because of an unspoken ethnic prejudice. How long would it take Turkey to become a member if it had not been a Muslim country? Why does Turkey remain shy of assuming its natural leadership position in the region? Still sensitive about its Ottoman period of domination of the region, Turks are vehement about maintaining a partnership rather than a leadership role. Almost the only regret visibly expressed by them about taking on a European identity is their deep friendship with Pakistan, the only country in the world that the Turks cherish as a real and trusted friend. Turks invariably shrug off praise from Pakistanis by saying that Pakistanis are favourably prejudiced and therefore blind to Turkey’s shortcomings, such is the depth of the friendship between the two nations.
One manifestation of Turkey’s open and modern society is the election of the eminently qualified Ms Tansu Ciller (pronounced Chill-er) as the new PM of the country to succeed Suleyman Demeril who was elected as President. Ms Tansu Ciller did not become PM because she inherited a political background or because she was “born to rule”, she was elected on the basis of qualifications and capability. She is the embodiment of modern Turkey, an aggressive leader quite content to be a partner more equal than others. What is striking to note is that she evokes universal admiration among friends and foes alike, even those who oppose her wish her well for the sake of a prosperous, democratic Turkey. Such is the concept of nationalism and nationhood in Turkey that for Turks the nation comes first before everything. While Turks go the full length of democratic debate in opposing vehemently what they don’t like, they remain wholeheartedly and deeply united on national issues, even if it means supporting a government they don’t like. Along with economic progress has come political emancipation for modern Turkey. Poised to become a reluctant regional superpower in the 21st century despite its reservations, the strength of Turkey lies in the self-confidence and nationalism of its intelligentsia and masses. There are many domestic issues to be solved, many problems to be overcome but a golden future is more than assured in whichever world Turkey chooses to opt for. There is a Turkish miracle, it is happening now!
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