Stephen Lendman

Interviewed by Russia’s Sputnik News, Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu called both nations “friendly countries, two neighbors (not always) see(ing) eye to eye on everything.”

He claimed Ankara wants good relations between both countries restored after months of hostility, following the downing of a Russian warplane in Syrian territory.

“(W)e are the only NATO country” not imposing sanctions on Russia, he said - Erdogan knowing their imposition would harm Turkey’s economy with Russia responding appropriately, aside from sanctions imposed following the downing of its aircraft last November.

“…Turkey is the best and most reliable friend Russia can possibly find,” Cavusoglu claimed. Not as long as Erdogan provides ISIS and other anti-Syrian terrorists safe haven on Turkish territory and keeps supplying them with weapons and munitions, wanting Assad deposed.

Claiming the “Syrian problem can’t be solved fast by military force and armed struggle,” Cavusoglu ignored Turkey’s involvement with US-dominated NATO in fostering it without end.

Saying “(i)t’s a pity that peaceful civilians keep dying in Syria (and) “(w)e need to wage an all-out war against terrorist organizations in Syria,” fails to explain Ankara’s responsibility for partnering with America’s imperial project, especially its rape of Syria.

Cavusoglu: “We believe that the Syrian problem can be resolved if all countries come together in good faith.”

Fact: Since Obama launched naked aggression on Syria in March 2011, Turkey has been on board to this day as a reliable imperial ally.

It seeks annexation of northern Syrian territory, Assad replaced by puppet governance, Syrian Kurds slaughtered like others in Turkey and Iraq.

At the same time, Cavusoglu accused NATO of failing to cooperate with Ankara, hinting at interest in forging closer military ties with Russia provided it can gain access to its technology and weapons.

“Turkey intends to develop its own defense industry and strengthen its defense system,” he said. “In this sense, if Russia were to treat this with interest, we are ready to consider the possibility of cooperation in this sector.”

Earlier, Cavusoglu said “Turkey wanted to cooperate with NATO members…But the results we got did not satisfy us. Therefore, it is natural to look for other options. But we don’t see this as a move against NATO.”

A week ago, Turkish ambassador to Russia Unit Yardim said “(i)n no way can NATO limit our contacts with other countries…NATO has no right to dictate its terms and tell us who we should or should not meet and communicate with.”

Turkey has lots of proving to do to show it wants normalized ties with Russia. Key is stop supporting ISIS and all other US-backed terrorists in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

Withdraw all Turkish forces from Syrian and Iraqi locations, as well as from border areas inside its own territory. Support Assad as Syria’s democratically elected leader. Cease war on Turkish, Syrian and Iraqi Kurds.

End ruthless purging of tens of thousands of alleged opposition elements in Turkey, including imprisoning many thousands, perhaps reviving capital punishment with mass executions in mind.

Erdogan’s iron-fisted rule makes his reliability as a political, economic and military partner for Russia chancy at best - worth pursuing knowing the risk involved.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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