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Hostage-taking Action by Pro-Chechen Rebels Impairs Turkey's Image
Although the hostage-taking incident by a group of pro-Chechen gunmen in a luxury hotel in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul dramatically ended peacefully on Monday, the negative effects on Turkey may be lasting.
The 12-hour terrorist episode took place at a time when Turkey is making efforts to win both domestic and international support to help it tide over the economic-financial-political crisis which has plagued the country for months.
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit criticized the Chechen rebel's raids on the Swisshotel in Istanbul, claiming that " Chechens are our brothers. But we can never approve actions that are against Turkey's interests."
Ecevit indicated that the government would also not tolerate those who help Chechen rebels find refuge in Turkey, saying that all necessary measures would be taken against such activities.
The armed pro-Chechen gunmen stormed the Swisshotel late Sunday, taking about dozens guests and staff members hostage in protest against Moscow's military campaign in Chechnya.
Thirteen Chechen rebels, including Muhammed Emin Tokcan, leader of the group, surrendered to police later with their weapons and released all hostages.
It was not the first time that Chechen rebels had caused trouble for Turkey, putting Ankara in a confrontational situation vis-a-vis Russia, an important trade partner of Turkey.
On March 15, three Chechen terrorists hijacked a Russian Tu-154 passenger plane taking off from Istanbul with more than 100 people on board. Saudi security forces stormed the plane in Medina, Saudi Arabia, a day after the hijackers threatened to blow up the aircraft. A Russian flight attendant and a Turkish passenger were killed along with one of the terrorists.
In 1996, nine Chechen rebels hijacked a Turkish Black Sea ferry, holding more than 200 passengers hostage for four days, to protest Moscow's military campaign in Chechnya. The attackers brought the ship back to Istanbul and surrendered.
In 1991, four armed Chechens hijacked a Soviet plane to Turkey with more than 170 people abroad, then took off for Chechnya hours later.
Russia has accused Ankara of turning a blind eye to the spate of Chechens' terror actions in Turkey and criticized it for not taking the necessary measures against possible terrorist attacks.
It is well-known that public sympathy for the Chechen separatism is strong in Turkey which has an overwhelming population of Muslims, who share the Islamic faith with Chechens. And some 5 million Turks trace their roots to the Caucasus, including Chechnya.
At present, about 25,000 Chechens live in Istanbul and western Turkey. Some 80 Caucasus organizations operate in Turkey and many have been active in promoting Chechen "independence."
In a statement issued following the Chechen raid on the Istanbul hotel, the Russian Foreign Ministry said "We strongly condemn this barbaric act. The terrorists must free the hostages immediately."
Moscow urged the Turkish authorities to take necessary measures to settle this dangerous situation and punish the culprits.
Ironically, some members of the Chechen rebels who occupied the Swisshotel on Monday were those who participated in the hijacking of the Turkish ferry boat in 1996.
The hijackers of the ferry were released from prison overnight in accordance with a law passed by Turkey parliament. People now wonder whether the government would do the same thing to the Chechen rebels who committed the hostage-taking attack, according to the Turkish daily Hurriyet (Freedom).
Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan declared, however, on Monday that the Turkish government had never condoned "such activities."
It is widely believed that the latest terror attack on the prestigious international hotel chain could deal a blow to Turkey's tourism industry, from which economy officials hope to win billions in hard currency this year to help stabilize Turkey's crisis-racked economy.
SAirGroup, the hotel's owner, said that there were approximately 600 guests at the hotel at the time of the attack. Dozens of guests escaped the hotel in panic, with many leaving through fire exits.
Tantan said that the government could not tolerate the attacks especially at a time when the tourism season had started and the festival of national sovereignty and children's day was celebrated nationwide on Monday.
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