When they finally withdrew, 3,514 of the original 5,000 Turks were dead, wounded or missing. U.S. leaders were so embarrassed at how badly they had mismanaged the Turkish force that an official apology was sent to the Turkish government. Turkish officials replied with bewilderment, saying they did not understand why an apology was required; after all, fighting was why they sent their soldiers to Korea.
Since then Turkey has proved time and again its friendship with the West and its desire to be a true friend and ally to America. Throughout the Cold War, Turkey stood at our side despite sharing a thousand-mile border with the Soviet Union. By accepting the enormous burden of keeping more than 1 million men under arms they provided the bulwark against Soviet expansion to the south.
More recently, in the war to free Afghanistan, Turkish commandos joined U.S. Special Forces on the ground during the fighting. Even as the United States begins to draw down some of its forces in Afghanistan, Turkey has accepted the burden and taken over military command of the joint force there. As we prepare for a possible showdown with Iraq, Turkey once again is proving to be the indispensable ally in the region.
Despite this, the West, particularly the European Union (EU), continues to slight Turkey at every turn. In order to win a place in the EU, Turkey has undertaken massive internal reforms. Great strides have been made toward reforming its constitution, increasing government accountability, freeing the economy, harnessing the armed forces and improving human rights. There undoubtedly still is quite a lot to be done, but by any measure Turkey stands far ahead of other nations in the region.
Nonetheless, the EU again has thumbed its nose at Turkey's bid to be included in its economic club. After decades of asking the EU for a seat at the table, many Turks suspect the reason for Europe's cold shoulder has more to do with racism than policy. The EU claims the main reason for rejecting Turkey again is its continuing human-rights violations.
This line of argument is getting harder and harder to sustain. In August, Turkey abolished the death penalty, allowed the Kurdish language to be broadcast and extended property rights to all non-Muslim religious groups. Just last week, 10 police officers were given stiff jail terms for torturing left-wing prisoners more than seven years ago.
Other countries have been allowed to start the EU process without meeting all the requirements of membership. Only Turkey seems to be a special case, and the only real explanation is a continuing strain of virulent European racism. If Europe is going to stiff its neighbor, then the United States should redouble its efforts to embrace Turkey closely. As the war against terror continues we will need Turkey's continued support, and not only in the military arena. As imperfect as it may be, Turkey still is a beacon of secular democracy in the Muslim Mideast. It serves as the proof that Muslim traditions can be upheld within a democratic society.
What can the United States do? First we need to ensure Turkey's continued economic prosperity. Turkey has gone from crisis to crisis lately and has been forced to come hat in hand to the International Monetary Fund. After tortuous negotiations, Turkey was promised $10 billion in support, to be doled out in stingy increments only after draconian economic measures were enacted. Compare this with the tens of billions of dollars washed down the drain supporting Argentina and Brazil on the mere promise to do better. The United States should make credit easily available and, more importantly, open its own doors in a NAFTA-style agreement to Turkish products.
Second, the United States should recognize that Turkey has sacrificed billions to support sanctions on Iraq. When Saddam Hussein is removed from power the United States should do everything possible to make sure Turkey becomes the terminus for many of the pipelines that move oil out of both Iraq and the Caspian region.
President George W. Bush can do almost as much good with symbolic measures. In 1946, President Harry Truman sent the USS Missouri, our most powerful battleship, to deliver the body of the Turkish ambassador back to his home country. That singular act of respect was greeted with ecstasy throughout Turkey and sealed an emotional bond to us for a generation. It should not be hard for the Bush administration to find other ways to make sure Turkey knows it values their friendship.
During the Korean War, American and British units worried when an allied unit was placed on their flank. The exception to this rule was Turkish troops. When the Turks were on your flank you could be absolutely certain they would never break and leave you in the lurch. Their country has proved to be just as resolute for six decades. The United States needs to let Turkey know we will be there for them also.
James Lacey is a New York-based columnist with expertise in finance and military affairs.