VOA标准英语2009-Turkey Tries to Walk Line Between West, Iran

Turkey appears to be taking a different stance than its European and U.S. allies in the wake of Iran's elections. The Turkish president and prime minister were among the first of the few countries to congratulate Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his disputed victory. Questions are being raised in Turkey about whether it is becoming out of step with its western allies over Iran.
　
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flashes a victory sign with an ink-stained finger as he holds up his identity cards at a Tehran polling station, 12 June 2009

Turkey's U.S. and European allies are voicing increasing criticism of the Iranian presidential election and crackdown by its security forces on demonstrators. But Ankara has remained silent since Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent a congratulatory message to his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu refused to criticize the crackdown.

He says Turkey's government believes the problems in Iran will be solved by its inner mechanisms¹, with the best possible result. He says Turkey hopes Iran's dynamic and well-attended presidential election will not be overshadowed by the recent developments.

Working to improve relations

Foreign Minster Davutoglu advocates Turkey working to improve its relations with all its neighbors, including Iran.
　
Turkish President Abdullah Gul (File photo)

Last year while the rest of the Europe was giving the Iranian president the cold shoulder, President Gul hosted Mr. Ahmadinejad in Istanbul. And despite U.S. criticism, Turkey is increasingly eyeing Iran as an alternative to Russia for its energy supplies.

But Turkish journalist Akif Emre says the ruling Islamic AK Party's Iran policy does not mean it is rejecting its Western allies.

"Turkey's new policy is to [maintain a] stronger relationship with the West, and also open a new area from Africa to the Middle East and neighbors," Emre said.

That policy has seen Turkey's government courting controversial groups like Hamas and Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, who has been indicted² for genocide by the International court.

Impossible balancing act

But International relations expert Cengiz Aktar of Istanbul's Bachesehir University, says trying to have close ties with Iran and the West is an impossible balancing act.

"One cannot have double or triple-track policies when it comes to international matters, because what is happening in Iran is a matter of democracy," Aktar said. "So once again. like in Sudan. the government is in total contradiction with its allies."

Turks do not support Ahmadinejad

On the streets of Istanbul there appears little support for Mr. Ahmadinejad or the Turkish government's stance toward his victory.

"It is their democratic rights they want Mousevi, but Ahmadinejad supporters manipulated votes so their rights were stolen," one person said. "I think people are right to defend their rights so I support them."

"I do not think the Turkish government has had a good point ... with Iran, because starting from our own country we should be promoting liberty more than anything else," said another bystander.

Is policy effective?

Foreign Minister Davutoglu says Turkey's non-confrontational stance toward Mr. Ahmadinejad puts it in an ideal position to defuse tension between Iran and the West, especially over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

But Professor Aktar says the Turkish foreign minister overestimates³ his country's importance.

"He might have this in mind becoming a kind of go between in the new and hypothetical relationship that is expected between Iran and the West," Aktar said. "But unfortunately, neither the West nor Iran needs Turkey for this sort of thing."

Iran has repeatedly rejected Turkey's offer to mediate⁴ with the United States. And with the Iranian leadership taking an increasingly tough stance towards its election protesters, Ankara could find itself in a difficult position.

Calls are growing from inside Iran and among Turkey's allies for tougher sanctions against Tehran. Columnist⁵ Emre says such a move would be hard for Ankara.

"Turkey first of all would try to keep balance," Emre said. "But if the European Union and American state they develop new policy against Iranian regime they will act with the Western bloc⁶."

Iran's president has upped his rhetoric⁷ against the West, while reports continue to grow of an increasing crackdown on Iran's election protesters, which analysts⁸ say is putting more pressure on Turkey's balancing act between the West and Iran.

1 mechanisms   

n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 indicted   

控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The senator was indicted for murder. 那位参议员被控犯谋杀罪。
• He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder. 他被大陪审团以两项谋杀罪名起诉。

3 overestimates   

对（数量）估计过高，对…作过高的评价( overestimate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• These overestimates counterbalanced the uncertain risk of radiation releases after sealing. 这些过高估计抵消了在密封以后放射性物泄漏所产生的未知危害。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself. 切勿低估一个过高估计他自己的人。

4 mediate   

vi.调解，斡旋；vt.经调解解决；经斡旋促成

参考例句：

• The state must mediate the struggle for water resources.政府必须通过调解来解决对水资源的争夺。
• They may be able to mediate between parties with different interests.他们也许能在不同利益政党之间进行斡旋。

5 columnist   

n.专栏作家

参考例句：

• The host was interviewing a local columnist.节目主持人正在同一位当地的专栏作家交谈。
• She's a columnist for USA Today.她是《今日美国报》的专栏作家。

6 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

7 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。