Turkey [antikvár]

Introduction In February 1952 an event took place in a modest brownstone building in Ankara that, in a very real sense, represented the culmination of nine centuries of Turkish history. On that occasion the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, in a unanimous vote, accepted an invitation to membership in the North Adantic Treaty Organization. The historic impulse that led to this event really began in the 11th Century, with the westward movement from Central Asia of the Seijuk Turks—followed over the next several centuries by thousands of their fellow Turks—into the peninsula of Asia Minor. The vote of the Turkish assembly also fulfilled the vision of one of the most extraordinary men of our times—Kemal Atatiirk. In Turkey's darkest hours following World War I, Atatiirk by sheer will power took the Turkish nation by the scruff of its neck, shook it loose from the stifling ties of its past, and turned it resolutely to the West and to the future. Modern Turkey, a vigorous, up-and-coming nation of 31 million people, provides a sharp contrast with the Turkey of the past. The new nation must not only compete with the greatness of the Ottoman Empire, which at its height controlled large segments of the world, but must seek to erase the image of the empire in its period of decline after 1683. Through centuries of wars and diplomatic intrigues the dominating "fact of life" for all Turks has been the unrelenting hostility of Russia. Since the 17th Century the Turks have fought at least a dozen wars with Russia. In joining NATO Turkey became assured—for the first time in its history—that in its defense against the Soviets it will in the future have the most powerful nations of the West as its allies. Similarly, the other NATO members found in Turkey a resolute partner, an eastern anchor to NATO, capable of holding a Soviet flanking move through the Middle East. No matter what steps the Turks may take to normalize their relations with the U.S.S.R., no one need fear that the Turks will ever let down their guard against their traditional enemy. Since the early 1920s the new Turkey created by Kemal Atatiirk has taken long strides into the modern era. Progress has by no means been even. There have been setbacks and disappointments. Yet the ancient plains, rimmed by majestic mountains facing the sea, show everywhere the signs of progress: highways, schools, modern buildings, the beginnings of industrializarion. The symbol of this modern Turkey is the glistening city of Ankara, grown since Atatiirk's time from a town of less than 30,000 people to a city of almost a million. Ankara's roots, as Atatiirk wished, lie in the dark brown soil of Anatolia. Democracy in Turkey, which was given its form by Atatiirk, achieved substance in 1950 when it met the only true test—a peaceful change in power through the free vote. Some have been concerned that the roots of Turkish democracy are shallow. I believe, however, that the Turkish people, who suffered so much in winning their freedom from autocratic rule, will never again surrender it. Turkey has recently established an association with the European Common Market. In daily participation in the NATO Council and in the Organizarion for Economic Cooperation and Development, Turkey plays an increasingly important role among the narions of the West—to which it is now inextricably joined. Mr. Desmond Stewart has made a valuable contribution to the understanding of modern Turkey by his deep insight into Turkey's rich past and its challenging present. He has caught the spirit and meaning of the vigorous stream of life of this gifted people. Even though there' are perhaps a few value judgments with which some readers, including myself, may differ somewhat, judgments on so complex a subject necessarily are difficult and I admire his courage in making them. —George C. McGhee former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey