Deutschlandfunk, radio
The speaker of the parliamentary fraction of German Free Democrats Party, Reiner Stinner, considers a war between Turkey and Syria unlikely. “I see no Syrian interests in attacking Turkey at the moment,” he says. Turkish reaction also demonstrates that the Turkish government doesn’t want escalation of the conflict.
- Mr. Stinner, do you share the view that the fire-fight on the Syrian-Turkish border can cause a wide-scale military operation?
- I share concerns about the situation in the region in general. As for a possible war between Syria and Turkey, I am optimistic in this sense. This optimism relies on experience of the former similar cases and interests of two sides. The regime of Bashar Assad is not interested in starting the war against Turkey now. Syrians admitted their mistake, and it was not a full-scaled attack. They just missed the target. Turkey reacted in a well-known manner, and this reaction can be understood, considering its internal policy. I am very glad that Turkey has ceased the fire. I repeat I am optimistic about the fact that Turkey and Syria won’t start the war.
- Do you believe the Syrian side, which says that they fired on Turkish territory accidentally?
- Yes, I believe this is true. I have no other information. However, I know that Syrians have withdrawn mine throwers from the regions neighboring Turkey. Today I see no Syrian interest in attacking Turkey. Assad has too many other problems.
- Do you think the reaction of Turkey is fair?
- Of course we should consider that the Turkish government has a very strong internal political motivation. Without any doubts Turkey has a right for self-defense. At the same time, and Damascus admits it, Syria fired the Turkish territory. Therefore, the Turkish reaction is obvious. I am very glad that Turkey wasn’t involved into long military operations. Moreover, it is nice that Turkey purposely turned not to the fifth, but to the fourth article of the NATO Charter which is limited by consultations. It means Turkey doesn’t want escalation.
- Turkey is thought to be a regional power. Is there any threat that its military ambitions will be boosted by this fact?
- Military ambitions will hardly be boosted, unlike internal political intentions. I would like to separate these two aspects. Turkey has absolutely no interest in the war starting. It would be counterproductive for its political goals. I am sure Turkey wants to be a stabilizing country in the region. It has taken efforts at this direction, but I must be honest the results were not impressive. It is clear that Turkey understands its important political role in the regions and it should show that it protects the national interests and won’t allow anyone attack its territory.
- Can this situation influence Moscow and Beijing?
- The interesting fact is that Moscow vetoed discussion of even this act by Syria. I think Russia has already exhausted all political benefits from this situation. Russia has to understand that its position on Syria and the current desire to ignore the fire-attack damage its image in the region. As for China, I am sure it is a driven side in this tandem.
