BBC Interview with the Faculty Members of the Department of International Relations

BBC was in Izmir for the NATO operation

NATO’s commanding the air operations against Libya from the air base in Sirinyer has been attracting the attention of the foreign press. Recently, two reporters from BBC America and Spanish News Agency (EFE) came to Izmir and conducted a comprehensive research.

Matthew Brunwasser from BBC America and Andres Mourenza from Spanish News Agency met with the injured who were brought to the Cesme Port via an Ankara ferry and being treated at the Urla Hospital. The reporters stating that they have been impressed by Turkey’s humanitarian aid and the sayings of the injured have met up with the academicians from the International Relations Department of Yasar University.

Head of Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aylin Güney, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazif Mandacı and Assist. Prof. Dr. Alper Kaliber from the International Relations Department answered the questions of the reporters about the subject at the interview taken at the studios of the Media Center of Yasar University. The answer of the academicians to the reporters questioning about the reasons of Turkey’s ‘sensitive’ response to the crisis in Libya and this being whether ‘a reflection of the serious attempts of Turkey’s policies towards being a regional power as mentioned in the West or not’ was as follows:

“Turkey’s sensitive response to the crisis in Libya and providing humanitarian aid is a result of the historical, cultural and religious ties between the two countries. This has been also spoken out by the government officials. Besides, Turkey’s interests in Libya are important. There are 25-30 thousand Turkish workers in Libya. Turkey wishes for the safe and sound return of these workers. Turkey also does not want to lose its share at the construction sector. Humanitarian aid has also given the message of ‘We are here and capable of conducting this operation’ to the West. Turkey has been very active at the evacuation of the Turkish and foreign citizens from the country since the beginning of the crisis. This is also another message given to the Western countries. Turkey defines itself as a power standing by the oppressed and Libyan public and defending humanitarian norms not the warfare. Turkey has not put forward comprehensive peace projects and has not yet reached to the capacity to do that. Turkey has preferred to mediate at the intrastate conflicts and this should be considered as a contribution to the peace settlement.”