Press Review No. 118

An earthquake in Turkey and Syria

On Monday morning, an earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria. The epicenter was located close the town of Gazientep, Turkey. The victims of this disaster are inactive counted – for this minute the authorities study 3,500 killed in Turkey and 1,500 killed in Syria.

Several comments have been made that Western aid to Turkey, which is struggling with the effects of the earthquake, will lead to changes in Turkey's abroad policy, in peculiar that the Turks will consent to Sweden in NATO. That's very naive.

Above all, it must be remembered that this is not the first earthquake in Turkey's history. The country is located at the interface of 4 tectonic plates. Over 17,000 people died during the 1999 earthquake.

Sweden, like many another countries, declared its willingness to come to the Turks with help. The Swedish offer will most likely be accepted, as will... the offer of assistance from Russia – yes, Vladimir Putin, has already spoken to Erdogan and has besides offered assistance.

Turkey will not change its policy on joining NATO only due to Swedish aid. Erdogan wants large concessions from the Swedes, not "humanitarian aid". In addition to blocking Sweden in NATO, the Turks besides want to force a fewer concessions towards the US

When it comes to playing out the issue of NATO enlargement, the Turks feel like they are in a position to play a lot. And possibly they're right, due to the fact that you can see, for example, that the U.S. legislature would have agreed to sale the F-16 Turks if Turkey had given Sweden a green light in NATO.

The Turks will not quit this "game" on NATO extension "only" due to the earthquake and Swedish humanitarian aid, Swedish firefighters, medics, etc.

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