New Delhi
19 February 2011
Which can be a good model for democratic transformation in the Arab world,
India or Turkey? If the question surprised foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey,
he did not show it. "Each has its own characteristics," he said with an ease that came
with years of academic and diplomatic experience, before carefully adding that "for some
Arab intellectuals and observers from the region [the Turkish model] is seen as a
success story".
The popular uprising in Egypt has generated a debate about whether the Arab countries
ruled by monarchs or autocrats could learn from Turkey's example where the ruling AKP,
a conservative party with Islamic roots, was swept to power in 2002. The military sees
itself as an arbiter in Turkish politics but the government has of late sought to extend
civilian control over it.
Mr Davutoglu, who was in New Delhi for participating in a conference, noted that "if
[Turkey's] experience is a good case for other brotherly and sisterly nations, of course
we will be happy to contribute" -- something that India as the world's largest democracy
is keen to do, too. The Indian ambassador in Cairo is understood to have been
sensitised about external affairs minister SM Krishna's discussion with his American
counterpart Hillary Clinton on how India can help Egypt in its election process and
consolidation of democratic institutions.
Mr Davutoglu said that the political unrest sweeping the Arab world had sent out the
clear message that people should be allowed to peacefully express their demands and
governments must respond by taking necessary remedial steps. In reply to a question,
he said that Turkey wanted "all political movements", including the Muslim Brotherhood,
to be active in the new Egyptian politics, and use democratic means and respect public
order to facilitate a smooth transition.
Mr Davutoglu had "extensive consultations" with vice president Hamid Ansari and Mr
Krishna on "regional and global issues", including, but not limited to, Iran's nuclear
programme. Turkey, he said, "will continue to consult all of our friends to achieve some
solution" to some of these issues, and he hoped that "India also can contribute to
regional and global processes". Turkey, a Sunni majority country, is actively engaged in
facilitating talks between the Shi'ite Iran and the West.
No comments:
Post a Comment