Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave the "best news" in front of ten TV-Cameras just one day after the worst economic crisis since 1994 and the final failure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a controlled economic program, since nearly two years. The American President George Bush had called him and gave his full support to save the Turkish economy; everybody in Turkey is now sighing with relief. 

No doubt, this psychological support was important for Turkish financial markets and circles. Also support came by the EU and even by the Greek government when Prime Minister Ecevit met in Skopje with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Suddenly, the Turkish economic crisis has a European and global dimension and no doubt, it is a plus point for Turkey. Now, the Turkish economy is among the first 20 economies in the world with a potential to be among the top ten, if the economy is managed effectively. 

But why is so much importance put on Bush's call. First of all, Turkey is one of the most reliable allies of the United States in NATO and a pivotal country in its global and regional strategies. This makes Turkey now much stronger in the United States perception than it was during the Cold War; as it was seen during the last air raid to Bagdad and Northern Iraq. Turkey is still needed by America for regional stability. As the German Bundesnachrichtendienst (German intelligence Service) stated recently too that Saddam Hussein is on the way to producing nuclear weapons. The American bombing of Baghdad is not only a "show off" of American power but also shows Iraq's potential threat not only to Turkey but also to Europe. Now, many experts claim that without American control Iraq will remain the most dangerous state in the Middle East in the future. In other words, Iraq is not only a regional but a global danger, at least in the eyes of the Western World. 

Turkey's economic and political relations with Iraq in the last few years was also favored by the United States despite the fact that they were a little angry when Turkey decided to increase their relations with Iraq to the ambassadorial level just few weeks before George Bush took office. Turkey's Iraq policy is in this sense considered by the new administration as a fate accompli but is in the range of acceptance. The bombardment of Baghdad that took place 10 days ago by the United States and British air forces excluded other countries and this time the Turkish prime minister was unhappy that Turkey was not informed about it. The use of Incirlik Military Air Base is and remains a fact for the American operations in the region and the Turkish government can only support such actions but not to prevent it. 

The new American administration's policy with Turkey is no doubt a continuation of the last Clinton administration's policy, which took place when Prime Minister Ecevit visited Washington two years ago to set up a long term understanding between Turkey and the United States in the region. Now, the first visit by the U.S. Secretary of State General Colin Powell to the Middle East, starting with Cairo, is an important one on how the new U.S. administration will follow possibly a "new policy" there. However, Powell's visit to Turkey is also expected in order to talk on common line. Therefore, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will meet Powell today and tomorrow in Brussels during the NATO meeting and talk over many issues regarding Turkey's security and economic developments. One point is clear and that is that Turkey is not only a part of western security but also western economy. Globalization is effecting Turkey's economy so strongly that Turkey became a "common concern" for the West. The Turkish decision makers know this fact but it should not lead to political laziness, not to take economic and political decisions, which should integrate Turkey more into the EU and global institutions. 

Today, the economic and political pessimism is a fact and the latest crisis is the result of this psychology. Turkish society is suffering economically so strongly that a revision of the IMF program seems to be unavoidable. The external support for Turkey is indeed important within this crucial situation but it depends only and solely on the Turks and Turkish government to come out of this crisis. Can this government do this? It seems more and more difficult provided the structural reforms and privitization is carried on successfully. Any new early elections possible? It seems not to be the case until the end of the year. Then, this coalition government does not have any serious opposition and this coalition looks like a catholic marriage where there is no divorce is possible. Also there is no tendency either to break up the coalition. This is, in other words, the "most successful coalition" without reaching any economic achievement and full of political failure. In Turkish political history, this is a unique situation and certainly will be thought on in the future in political science lectures how an unsuccesfull coalition can survive!! Of course neither in the United States nor in the EU could such a government stay one day more. This is why the west is showing, interestingly, a great political tolerance towards Turkey. Is it not a privilege? Yes indeed!! There are only two countries in the Western hemisphere who enjoys such a tolerance: Turkey and the Russian Federation. 

Today the National Security Council is meeting again. Last week's crisis will be overcome temporarily but in reality the crisis is deep inside of the minds between prime minister and the state president. This is the question; how long it can go like this. Yes there is a catholic marriage among the coalition partners but not between the president and the government. No doubt, this government will dissolve one day sooner or later. But the president will stay there for another 6 years. May be this is the chance for Turkey to change its political mentality and increase her trust and accountability to the outside world. President Sezer enjoys the support of the public opinion more than 80 percent. But not the coalition. The conflict will be long lasting and this is the problem. President Bush may sometimes phone President Sezer too. No doubt it will have the same psychological effect as when he calls the prime minister. Last but not least, Turkey is on the way to a better society and country and such supports are of great help for both sides.