Listening to the BBC and reading the papers left me feeling like Alice in Wonderland. Turkish officials and the media united in blaming Turkey's good relations with the US for the burst of terrorism on its land. BUT let's not forget the facts. Before the Iraq war Turkey was forced to choose between the EU and the US - French foreign minister flew to Ankara to deliver the message personally. The Turkish government chose the EU. It refused to permit the US to use Turkey as a base for attacking Iraq from the North. For America this meant a longer war and, more importantly, a war which failed to subdue the Sunni Triangle. Much of the current trouble in Iraq is due to that Turkish decision.

It was only after a visit to Europe put into question the French-German promise to treat Turkey like a Christian state and let it join the EU that the Turkish government decided to mend its fences with the US with a conditional offer to sent Turkish troops to help in Iraq. Of course, sending Turkish troops to Iraq was as culturally sensitive as sending German troops to Bosnia. But, then, no one asked the Serbian population of Bosnia. In any case, Bosnia has long since emerged as the European base for Al Qaeda. Iraqis were asked and to Turkish relief said no. In other words, Turkey is not attacked because it cooperated with the US. Like Saudi Arabia, it was attacked despite the fact that it has NOT cooperated. But, if the truth is recognized it will be Bush and Blair who will be vindicated and not the protesters and that is too bitter a pill for the Bush hating media to swallow. My heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. NO, they did not deserve this.