Turkish Leader to Open Embassy in Kabul
Turkey’s foreign minister arrived in Islamabad en route to Kabul to raise the Turkish flag, both literally and symbolically, in a region where power alignments are changing dramatically.
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will open Turkey’s embassy in the center of the shattered Afghan capital and may meet the Afghan leader designate, Hamid Karzai.
He also will be staking Turkey’s claim to a leading role in shaping a new political order in Afghanistan.
“Turkey cannot afford to be left out of this process,” said an Ankara-based diplomat. “They have their geostrategic interests, they enjoy a certain respect in Afghanistan and, after all, they are an Islamic country.”
Turkey has been one of the United States’ staunchest allies in its campaign to overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
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