Turkish-Israeli-U.S. search-and-rescue upsets neighbors

The exercise drew angry protests from Arab states

January 7, 1998
Web posted at: 9:32 p.m. EST (0232 GMT)

ABOARD TURKISH WARSHIP TGC YAVUZ (CNN) -- Warships circled in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel's coast, and helicopters hovered overhead as American, Turkish and Israeli ships participated Wednesday in an unprecedented joint exercise.

Officials of the participating countries said Wednesday's operation, dubbed Reliant Mermaid, was merely a training exercise for search-and-rescue operations.

But it drew angry protests from Iran and other nearby states anxious about what they consider the beginning of a new strategic alliance against them.

"This is not directed against anyone" said Adm. Hussein Khassawneh of the Royal Jordanian Navy, standing on the bridge of the 3,000-ton Turkish frigate Yavuz. "It is a pure search-and-rescue operation."

Watch the military exercises. (APTV/Reuters)
	2.3MB/30 sec./240x180 1.17MB/30 sec./160x120 QuickTime movie

Jordan participated as an observer.

Col. Husnu Dag, a representative of the Turkish military, said the exercise was necessary, because dense sea traffic in the eastern Mediterranean "creates the need to respond to civilian emergencies."

During the maneuver, which involved five ships, helicopters and more than 1,000 sailors, a Turkish helicopter hovered above a small yacht off Israel's coast, dropping white smoke to mark the location of a simulated disaster at sea.

Lookouts on American, Turkish and Israeli ships reported over crackling radios that they had found similar boats in "distress" in the choppy winter seas.

An Israeli commander on a missile boat dispatched ships from each country to the rescue of three yachts, and frogmen pulled life-size mannequins out of the water.

Officials insisted the exercise was about sea rescue.

"We heard the Syrians and other countries were agitated by this exercise," said Israeli Cmdr. Offer David, who was aboard the Turkish ship. "I don't see any reason for their nervousness. It's strictly a search and rescue exercise to save lives at sea."

"This is completely a humanitarian exercise," Dag said.

A new balance of power?

However, analysts suggest the exercise signals an important military and political realignment in the Middle East.

"If I were an Iranian, I would have been upset because that means that Israel can come closer to Iran, can look closer at what Iran does. There is more to it than meets the eye," said Ron Ben-Yishai, an Israeli military analyst.

The budding alliance between Israel and Turkey offers tangible benefits to both sides.

For the Turks, who share borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria, it could mean access to Israeli technology and a ready supply of high-tech weaponry. To the Israelis, Turkey could become a badly needed friend in the region and a potential listening post to keep track of the Jewish state's enemies.

In addition, the two countries have a common interest in stemming the spread of radical Islam.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Israeli official said the relationship is primarily defensive, aimed at containing Islamic fundamentalism and terrorist groups.

The fact that Turkey, a large Muslim country, is willing to defy Arab states in the region and openly improve its ties with Israel is important for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Netanyahu has lost friends in the region, because of his government's tough stance on Arab-Israeli peacemaking.

"The exercise is a clear signal to radical regimes that there is a realignment in the Mideast and a new balance of power," said Professor Efraim Inbar, a political scientist at Israel's Bar-Ilan University who has visited Turkey.

Turkey seeks a friend

Israeli officials suggest that Turkey turned to Israel, because it has been ignored by Europe in its desire to join the European Union and by the United States, which has been reluctant to sell arms to Turkey.

A 1996 agreement gives Israeli pilots the right to train in Turkish airspace, and Israel's military industry has won more than $700 million in contracts to upgrade Turkey's U.S.-made F-4 Phantom and F-5 warplanes.

Many believe the sale of missiles and tanks is just over the horizon.

"The Turks are planning to spend $30 billion in the next 10 years to upgrade their military. Israel wants a piece of the cake," Inbar said.

However, Turkey will not be able to withstand pressure from other Arab states if Israel-Palestinian peacemaking does not progress, said Alon Liel, a former Israeli charge d'affairs in Turkey, who is now a senior aide to Israeli opposition leader Ehud Barak.

"The sky is not the limit," he said.

Jerusalem Bureau Chief Walter Rodgers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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