Interview with the Diplomatic News Bridge Magazine.

Interview with the Diplomatic News Bridge Magazine.

MP Mahmut Koçak is a person who had visited Afghanistan many times and who has a special interest in the region. He shared his opinions and vision with us.

The Diplomatic News Bridge: Whenever we come across with news about Afghanistan, we also see your name. What is the reason for your interest?

Mp Mahmut Koçak: The reason why I am interested in Afghanistan arises from the fact that, this country has great importance both for Turkey and the rest of the world; now it’s more important than before.

DN: Can you briefly explain us the importance of the country?

MP KOÇAK: It is almost the only land that British could not conquer altough they wanted to. If you have Afghanistan, your army can able to march to siberia without any obstacle on your way. If you look other side of the map, Russia with the control of Afghanistan means Russia is unlocking the key and reach ing to hot waters. Turks were able to go India since they could have controlled Afghanistan. Today importance of the country cannot be only explained by geostrategy, this place is the transportation centre for Central Asian and Caspian enegy sources. Caspian region is the second biggest energy source in the world, oil and gas will be transported to ocean via Afghanistan.

DN: What is the sitiuation in BAKU CEYHAN?

MP KOÇAK: It maybe sound odd but I think Baku-Ceyhan is about the die. The reason is Afghanistan option… Baku- Ceyhan may stay as a thin line. It seems the main value would be Afghanistan.

DN: Let’s talk about Afghanistan. What are the main characteristics of Afghanistan?

MP KOÇAK: For some, this country is the place of catastrophies and extreme powerty. To me, Afghanistan is a dream country. You live both in 14th century and 21st centuries at the same time. You can see brand new cars on the street while there are stil camel caravans used in transportation. In fact it’s a rich country but civil wars have taken all hopes ands dreams od people. It’is inevitable to mention Atatürk’s name while you are talking about Afghanistan. Emanuallah and Ataturk were to friends, who initiated modernisation processes at the same time. Turkey succeeded while Afghanistan failed. You realize how rightful Ataturk was on the decisions he took, the path he had chosen.

DN:What about Economy?

MP KOÇAK: Only opium.. 70% of narcotics has been produced there. It cost three bilion dollars per year. It’is the only thing Afghan know for living. The feodal structure organizes the production and ditribution.

DN: Will USA withdraw from the country soon?

MP KOÇAK: I dont think so. I believe USA will stay in Afghanistan. At hte point they stand, they can control both India, China, Central Asia, Russia and Iran. I believe Afghanistan is the key country in Wider Middle Eastern Project. I want to remind you that, Afghanistan was the main issue in latest NATO summit.

DN: Can Turkish businessman do business there?

MP KOÇAK: There is not significant growth in trade. To increase your profit, you have to make production there. But there is one sector that has been growing enormously: construction. Our medium sized firms are doing great business there. They have completed projects of which total cost is 700 milion Dollars.

DN : what do you mean by saying comperative superiority?

MP. KOÇAK: I mean that. In Afghanistan, no one could easly find work except Turkish firms.Recently 12 Chinese were killed. Only Turkish people has immunities in this country. In coming 10 years, there is potential work for 25 bilion dollards. Intelligent businessmen should be interested in there.

DN: What is Hikmet Çetin doing there?

MP. KOÇAK: Mr Çetin is one of the persons that we are proud of. He is really succesfull. He is the represantative of NATO but also he has contacts with the people on the streets. In a place like Afghanistan, this is an unique sitiuation. He is a respected person by Americans, other foreigners and also Afghans. Already now there is a “Çetin factor” there.

DN: Are you going to keep on working on your studies regarding to Afghanistan?

MP. KOÇAK: It’s certain that I will. We are workin with the sense of NGO. We have 2 thousands children circumcised last year, without minding any ethnic differences. And also this year we have 2 more thousand children circumcised. We gave medicine help. And doing all this, we were very happy, ‘cause we love Afghan people.