NATO member Turkey recalled its ambassador to the United States for consultations after a vote in a US congressional committee Thursday branded the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide. In a statement, Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan also said he was seriously concerned that the non-binding resolution would harm Turkish-US ties and efforts by Turkey and Armenia to bury a century of hostility. Washington regards Turkey, a Muslim but secular democracy which aspires to join the European Union, as an ally whose help it needs to solve conflicts from Iran to Afghanistan to the Middle East. What will Turkey do next? l In 2007, Ankara recalled its ambassador after a US panel approved a similar bill. Turkey reacted angrily, suggesting trade, defense and other ties might be affected. Then-president George W. Bush warned against passage, and the measure never came to a vote on the House floor. The ambassador returned to his post after one week. l Ankara had launched a diplomatic offensive to block the bill. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara hours before the vote: “We are at a stage when US-Turkish ties need maximum cooperation. Everybody should consider the importance of US-Turkish relations for regional and global stability.” Will it affect the Middle East? l Erdogan said the bill might harm Turkey-US ties, but did not give any details. President Abdullah Gul said Turkey should not be held responsible for any negative consequences, but did not elaborate. l Commentators had said the bill could affect Washington's use of the Incirlik Air base in southeast Turkey. Incirlik is vital in logistical support for US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkey is a transit route for US troops going to and from Iraq, and has 1,700 non-combat troops in Afghanistan. l Ankara has played a key role in Obama's strategy to get Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together in fighting Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants in their borders. Turkey has hosted high-level talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan. l Turkey, which has boosted ties with its Muslim neighbors, is a major player in US-backed Arab-Israeli peacemaking and has mediated in indirect talks between Syria and the Israelis. l Ankara has offered to use its close ties with Iran to help solve a dispute between global powers and Tehran over its nuclear programme. The United States, France and other Western powers are preparing a plan for a fourth round of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
