The issue of unity is now one of the most important questions facing America

1. Coalitions & global understanding
2. New strategies
3. The future of children who are taught to hate?
4. Education & involved citizenry
5. Role for Turkey
6. A strong willed nation of diversity

A.. When historians of the 22nd century look back, will
they see a strong and united nation of diverse people,
which not only resolved conflicts within their own society,
but also around the world?
B.. The American-Turkish lobby should encourage ethnic
lobbies to focus on the common good because campaigns that
are inspired by “identity politics” will only lead to
divisiveness, hatred and further violence.
C.. If America is to fight terrorism and succeed, ethnic
lobbies should have less influence in foreign policy making
and Americans must be better informed about global affairs
and threats to America.
D.. If Americans do not know their past and history better,
they cannot adequately plan their future, nor develop
successful foreign policies.
There cannot be a more important issue for ethnic lobbies
in the United States than unity. Though they can never be
completely united, it is time that they set aside some
differences. The issue of unity has taken on more
importance not only as a result of the September 11,
attacks, but also because the face of America is changing
rapidly. Many of these changes within U.S. society have
taken place since the 1960’s but have only become visible
in the past decade, just as the post-Cold War world began
to
geopolitically transform. It is important that these
changes are studied by scholars who can assess the strength
of ethnic lobbies and the impact they will have in the
future on U.S. national security.

At a time when Turkey has once again proven it is one of
just a few nations the U.S. can rely on, anti-Turkish
lobbies in Washington continue to complicate cooperation
and the war on terrorism (i.e. with proposals to block
assistance to Turkey or Azerbaijan, obstruct the
Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline, or military assistance). These
lobbies should be aware that regional cooperation around
Turkey and the anti-terrorism campaign has already been
late in getting started, and all nations and peoples will
be paying the price for further delays.
At such a sensitive time and faced with unprecedented
difficulties, ethnic lobbies should demonstrate that the
ideals of the U.S. are those that unite people and inspire
a quest for peace around the globe. In response to a letter
sent by Dr. Orhan Kaymakcalan, President of the Assembly of
Turkish American Associations in Washington, President Bush
stated, “Americans of every creed, ethnicity, and national
origin must unite against our common enemies.” The coming
together of ethnic lobbies should also include
American-Arab and American-Israeli groups.
Coalitions & global understanding
Another ongoing battle is the battle for “hearts and minds”
abroad. Americans have no option but to show determination
and unity so that a sense of collective responsibility
assists the anti-terror coalition.
It has been reported that U.S. leaders have derived
inspiration from Turkey’s founder Kemal Ataturk, who valued
the building of coalitions so that nations could work more
effectively together. Ataturk is also well known for his
universal message “Peace at home, peace in the world.” In
accordance with the desire to foster universal values, and
guided by the spirit and legacy of Ataturk, Turkish foreign
policy has continued to pursue the development of alliances
and coalitions. This is one of the reasons why
Turkey does not believe the fight against terrorism is just
America’s fight. It is also a reason why Turkey is
insisting on satisfactory participation in the European
Security and Defense Policy (ESDP).
One hopes that ethnic lobbies will be moved by the renewed
fervor and patriotism. The American-Turkish lobby, which
has inherited a history of multiculturalism, should
encourage ethnic lobbies to focus on the common good
because campaigns that are inspired by “identity politics”
will only lead to divisiveness, hatred and further
violence. American-Greeks, American-Armenians and
American-Turks must demonstrate that as Americans they have
more in common than they have made visible.
The tragic events of September 11, call for unprecedented
demonstrations of unity. At this time especially, the unity
of Americans from various ethnic backgrounds should be a
model for the nation-building that is taking place in
Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Caucasus. When these
societies seek inspiration, they should see common purpose
by looking to America, rather than ethnic competition. A
sense of common purpose could bring together the Armenian
caucus and the newly formed 26-member Turkish caucus.
Perhaps a special commemoration can be held for those who
lost their lives on September 11. American-Turkish
organizations can also contribute to the establishment of a
“Council of Muslims” which can generate meaningful dialogue
between officials and Muslim communities.

Turkey is already playing an important role in bringing
together representatives from the EU and the 56-member
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). By engaging
leaders in these and similar dialogues, Turkey’s
initiatives are expected to contribute to increased global
understanding. Already in the early stages of the war on
terror, Turkey’s historic and cultural ties with
Afghanistan and other Eurasian nations have proven
valuable.
New strategies
Americans need support from Turkey and Turkish-Americans,
just as Turks need support from American leaders and the
public in order to win the war against global terrorism.
But, anti-Turkish lobbies have at times promoted the
interests of foreign governments, often at the expense of
U.S. relations with Turkey, and even at the expense of U.S.
long-term interests. As a result, Turkey’s policymakers are
often irritated with “behind the scenes” influences.
Because Turkey is in a turbulent part of the world it
expects serious commitments from all its western allies.
Concrete and positive steps should be taken in Washington
and in European capitals to foster cooperation with Turkish
lobbies and organizations so that, terrorist presences
which are in geographic proximity of Turkey are exposed
(this includes a semicircle which begins in Greece and
swings into the Caucasus), the international financing of
terrorist networks are investigated (including the Greek
Cypriot side of the island of Cyprus) and the lack of
cooperation by some European nations is addressed. Such
cooperation would be of great value to ensure security
during the 2004 summer Olympic games in Athens.
In order to offer a better understanding of the fight
against terrorism, the Turkish Foreign Ministry should be
less fearful of aggressively presenting facts that may
disturb the anti-Turkish lobbies. The Turkish Foreign
Ministry should develop new strategies and relationships
with U.S. officials and institutions, without fear that
bringing certain issues to attention could backfire.
Reluctance and a fear of a backlash from anti-Turkish
lobbies have in the past hindered the advancement of a
better understanding of common interests. Turkey should be
encouraged, and find the courage, to communicate valuable
perspectives. In addition, the Turkish lobby in
Washington could help lead an anti-terrorism caucus in
Congress.
When it comes to cooperation in Eurasia, the Turkish and
anti-Turkish lobbies should do their best to cooperate by
focusing on common concerns during this time of
instability. In order to ensure that foreign policies serve
to resolve conflicts, nations of the Caucasus, such as
Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as nations of Central Asia,
should be assisted in building stronger lobbies.
Inconsistent past U.S. policies have already undermined
strategic policies, while confusing leaders of newly
independent
nations, and needlessly creating anti-American sentiments
(one example was the unfair legislation which limited
assistance to Azerbaijan while Congress failed to respond
to the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory). Due
to such conflicting policies, valuable time has been wasted
to stabilize and strengthen newly independent Eurasian
states.

The future of children who are taught to hate?
One of the goals of U.S. “Homeland Defense” should be to
enhance unity by ensuring young Americans have a
responsibility to rid their environment of hatred. Teaching
children to hate is not only “un-American,” it is a root
cause of violence, terrorism and instability.

There are many dark chapters of history that must be taught
and remembered, but while doing so, there should be no
tolerance for those who use history to generate hatred.

Before the devastation caused on Sept. 11, it was clear
that innocent Americans could become targets of hatred due
to ongoing disputes around the world. Although America
cannot right all wrongs, it can discourage groups from
bringing their grievances and conflicts to the U.S. It can
also take measures to provide for the security of Americans
at home by ensuring that its systems, freedoms, and
democracy are not used to further the incompatible
interests of people from other nations.
In small U.S. communities, hyphenated Americans with
divided loyalties and dual allegiances would no doubt cause
discomfort, especially if potentially disruptive
differences were detected as threats to a sense of
community. It is interesting that in the most principled
corridors of power in the U.S., some activities which are
not in the interests of the American people seem to be
undetected or not thoroughly discussed (the terrorist
attacks and murder of Turkish diplomats on U.S. soil,
debates over the controversial “Armenian genocide” and
school textbooks, and threats made to American scholars,
are some examples of imported conflict).
It is important that all Americans, especially
schoolchildren, do not receive selective accounts of
history. This would not only be an injustice to history,
but would fail to present an accurate understanding of the
world. The need for global awareness is essential in order
to create a more educated voter, an involved citizenry, and
a more responsive government that can meet the challenges
of the 21st century.

While working hard to wipe out hatred, America must also
not be too tolerant of hateful speech, although free speech
is protected. New laws must also be devised and enforced so
that newly emerging technologies are not used by terrorists
and organized criminals (such as for Internet drug
transactions or coordinated cyber attacks).

Americans do not really know what kind of war they are
fighting yet, and it will take time before they can better
understand how to respect differences and protect freedoms,
while determining which individuals and groups might pose
threats.

During this extraordinary time, and under the
circumstances, emergency anti-terror measures need be taken
quickly to prevent further attacks. While supporting new
U.S. measures, Turkey should also explain how some of its
own policies have been misunderstood by the American
public, which has often criticized Turkey for the emergency
rule it enforces near its southeastern border. The EU,
which has not directly been at war with terrorism, has also
failed in the past to understand how democracies that fight
widespread terrorism suffer.

Some new measures and systems in the U.S. that will affect
its democratic process include: new attorney-client
privilege rules (in order to prevent prisons from
transforming into centers from where illegal activities can
be directed), use of military tribunals, new rules for
detaining and monitoring suspects, as well as for the
gathering of information for security issues (critics argue
many of the new measures violate constitutional rights and
displays discriminatory practices towards the Arab Muslim
population in the U.S.).

These and many other developments are controversial, and
debates have arisen over whether measures are effective,
whether they are temporary, if they are counterproductive,
if the rights of “foreigners” should be protected under the
U.S. constitution, and how to deal with combatants who
surrender. The guardians of democracy, human rights and
civil liberties (such as the American Civil Liberties
Union), who fear government excesses, will no doubt
continue to express their concerns.

The question of whether a nation gives up certain liberties
to defend liberty, will be further debated as societies
realize that they will have to pay a price for maintaining
freedoms in a world where inequalities have created
disorder. While remaking the rules we live by, it should be
remembered that any mistakes in our rethinking can have a
negative impact on a borderless collective memory which
will be passed on to generations not yet born.

Young Turks must also study world history in greater depth
and create new institutions, such as think-tanks, so that
they can help shape better public policy. A U.S.-Turkish
think-tank with a focus on fighting terrorism could help
inform U.S., and Turkish scholars, the media, and
congressmen on a number of important issues such as:
protecting human rights while fighting terrorism, the
history of terrorism in Anatolia (including the Russian
backing of Armenian rebels, EOKA and terrorism in Cyprus,
Syria, Kurdish terrorism, the creation of international
terrorist bases such as in the
Bekaa Valley, as well as the circumstances behind the
harboring of a U.S., named Kurdish terrorist in a Greek
foreign embassy and in Europe). Other topics of concern to
the international community would be: how terrorist groups
evolve and change, problems with allies and definitions,
active and suspected groups, understanding international
conflicts and the root causes of terrorism.

Education & involved citizenry
If America is to fight terrorism and succeed, ethnic
lobbies should have less influence in foreign policy making
and Americans must be better informed about global affairs
and threats to America.

Rather than allow issues that could tear the U.S. national
fabric apart to thrive, bringing Americans together in new
ways should be the essence of the new national
consciousness that is emerging. To ensure that larger
American interests are not sacrificed along with the common
good due to differences between people, it would
be in the best interests of the U.S. if politicians were
made to feel ashamed of profiting from “identity politics.”
Nor should they seek to be excessively influential in
foreign policy making (sometimes with only the vaguest idea
of geography, history of foreign nations, and the political
complexities of countries). In this new era of threats,
security
should be maintained by experienced U.S. institutions,
which represent the common interests of the American
people.

It is becoming increasingly evident to ordinary Americans
that world events affect U.S. internal politics, and U.S.
decision-making has repercussions on the entire global
community. The time has come for more congressmen to obtain
passports and begin to acquire a better understanding of
the world. This would also show the world that U.S.
concerns about global issues are serious and sincere. It is
also essential that more Americans are encouraged to travel
abroad to non-European nations and more students learn
foreign languages.

Role for Turkey
Because many Americans remain unaware of the changes taking
place in their society and around the world, the U.S. media
and educational systems must immediately begin devoting
more attention to foreign policy issues. Presently, very
little time is allocated to foreign news coverage. Sadly,
when many young Americans are asked about topical events on
the other side of the Atlantic or Pacific, they simply are
not interested.

Although America is a nation of extremely generous people,
who care about the suffering of people around the world,
they have been slow to realize that world events have an
impact on their lives.

As international affairs become increasingly complex,
Americans will be faced with threats emerging from the
unknown. If Americans do not know their past and history
better, they cannot adequately plan their future, nor
develop successful foreign policies. The stability and
direction of American society depends immensely on the U.S.
education system. There is an urgent need to educate young
Americans about the world so that they can participate with
responsibility as they help shape U.S. foreign policy goals
and the international environment.
By elaborating on the need for developing a “Dialogue of
Civilizations” Turkish and U.S. institutions should find
ways of expanding cooperation to develop educational
exchange programs. U.S. high school and college students
can also gain a better understanding of other cultures by
living with a Turkish family (what better a place then
Turkey to gain an understanding of historic crossroads,
where East meets West, where Christianity, Islam, Western
and Eastern lifestyles blend into a unique mix, and where
Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East merge).
Because Turkey is such an important predominantly Muslim,
secular, modern and democratic nation, the U.S. public
diplomacy campaign to win the “battle of ideas” should
enable Turkey to play a central role in promoting
international peace (this would also help to combat
prejudices and misinformation about Muslims and Turks).
Lastly, this period of rethinking demands that the media
breaks out of its vicious circles of recycling biased and
distorted information on Turkey.

A strong willed nation of diversity
While many societies have been torn by violent disorders,
America remains the world’s most religiously and culturally
diverse nation. How Americans of all backgrounds interact
with one another to maintain a prosperous society is one of
the most important questions facing America and the world.
As America enters a new era of fear and hope, what will
America become? Hopefully when historians of the 22nd
century look back, they will see a strong and united nation
of diverse people, which not only resolved conflicts within
their own society, but also around the world.