Australia and the war on Iraq: A view from Istanbul

By Adrian D’hage, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 2003

Brigadier Adrian D’hage debuted in Webdiary in the lead-up to the war on Afghanistan. Adrian served in the Australian Defence Forces for 37 years, and was awarded the Military Cross for Service in VietNam and was Head of Defence Security for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. He quickly became a mainstay of commentary about the war in the mainstream press, including the Herald.

He is in Turkey at the moment, and emailed this report. I’ve also republished Adrian’s first two emails to Webdiary—now eerily resonant with the atmosphere as we enter the next war. And remember, the war in Afghanistan has only just begun. Kabul is barely under the control of the new administration. the rest of the country is lawless, ’ruled’ by warlords. Taliban training camps have set up again, and the fighting with American troops goes on. Now, another front.

But why would Australia want to join the war on Iraq? Umran asks. Umran is an attractive young graduate of the famed Istanbul University and she is genuinely puzzled at Australia’s involvement. For us, the war against Iraq is very close. Iraq is on our border. But you Australians are a long way away.

Why indeed? For an Australian overseas the question is not an easy one to answer.

I have fallen amongst modern-day Ottoman thieves. Young Ataturks. We are drinking in the James Joyce Irish Pub off Istanbul’s pedestrian ’Istiklal Caddesi’. Umran, Ekrem, and Kaan. Young, sophisticated, and educated. They are the hope of the future and more than prepared to question their own Turkish and other Governments’ decisions to join the US in a war against Iraq. Outside the only vehicles are the bright red Turkish equivalent of San Francisco’s trolley cars. Three kilometres of crowded pedestrian mall, although by Istanbul standards it is still early. The band in the Irish Pub will not start until midnight.

What do you think of George Bush? Ekrem asks. Ekrem is a student of politics, also at Istanbul University. That is easier. I am reminded of Peter Ustinov’s answer to the same question, I reply. If the American people are really happy with George Bush, Clinton was a man of unnecessary brilliance.

In Europe, perhaps far more than in Australia, the voices against war are growing more strident. Here they want justification and they don’t agree with the rush. Tens of thousands are marching against premature attack. After all, Europeans have seen a bit more of it over the years.

Istanbul and war. One of the world’s great cities, she has been attacked and conquered nearly as often as Jerusalem. In 513 BC Byzantium, as it was then known, was sacked by the Persians. Then in 408 BC by the Athenians, and in 339 BC by the Macedonians. Six hundred years later as the old Roman Empire faded and crumbled, Emperor Constantine renamed the city and Constantinople was established as the new Roman capital. It was then variously sacked by the Arabs, the Bulgarians and the Armies of the Fourth Christian Crusaders and then in 1453 by Mehmet, the first of the city’s long line of Ottoman Sultans. The past citizens of Istanbul could tell the world’s politicians a thing or two about the art of killing. And as it has so many times over the centuries, again in Istanbul the talk now turns to war.

The young Turks are afraid of their Government’s involvement and the real motives of the United States. I wonder if Iraq did not have any oil whether we wouldn’t find another way? Kaan asks. And as I listen to them question our determination to join the US I can’t help thinking about the rise and fall of empire. Throughout history all empires have over-reached themselves and fallen. The Greek. The Roman. The Ottoman. And now Pax Americana is exhibiting the same symptoms. Hubris, greed, control of other nations’ oil and a less than judicious use of power to the point where those who are oppressed revolt.

But you’re a soldier. Why don’t you support the war? Umran asks as she orders another bottle of raki.

The inspectors must be given a chance to do their job, I reply, and if that takes a year, then so be it—Iraq poses no threat to anyone while they are there.

And I am not alone. Far more distinguished soldiers than I don’t agree with this war unless it is an absolute last resort. The ex-British Chief of the Defence Force, Field Marshal Lord Bramall; the Falklands Commander General Thompson; the Gulf War Commander General Cordingley and General Sir Michael Rose; to name but a few who have expressed similar views in recent weeks.

Unlike our bellicose politicians, those who have seen the odd angry shot know that war is an ugly business. Lots of innocent people get killed. On current estimates, about a quarter of a million mums, dads, sons and daughters who have absolutely no say in the drums of war being beaten in the US and Australia. You need strong justification for killing on that scale.

And if Australian troops are committed without the clear sanction of the United Nations, and it appears they already have been, public opinion will be decidedly against their involvement. As it did in VietNam, this has the potential to adversely affect morale and any protest therefore must be against the Government and not the young men and women who are simply doing their duty.

And here the Government has a very difficult task because it has already politicised the Defence Force to a degree never before seen in this country. It is hard to imagine Tony Blair shouting across the House of Commons at the Leader of the Opposition that ’my Admiral’s torpedo beats your Air Marshal’s exocet,’ but that is precisely what happened during the ’children overboard’ fiasco. Given that situation, the next question from Umran was not without irony.

You still have not answered why Australia is so keen on war in Iraq, she says, but it is without malice. Australians, unlike Americans, are still welcome in this city. Because as I see it you Australians are swimming against the tide. The French and the Germans are not going to give Bush a blank cheque. They don’t trust him. Do you trust your Prime Minister?

I am immediately reminded of our leader’s penchant for cricket. The question is like a ball from Dennis Lillee at his best. Almost unplayable. He is a very successful politician but unfortunately his Government has lied to the public too many times. There is a loud ’snick’ and the slips cordon goes up as one. I shake my head. Trust? No. The umpire’s finger is up in agreement.

It is time, Umran announces, to find a Turkish nightclub. Not the touristic ’belly-dancing’ variety, but one with genuine Turkish music. We disappear down an alley where even the cats look ferocious.

You see, Kaan continues as the band gets into full swing and more raki appears, Syria was paid $US 1 Billion for Gulf War I, but will be the next target in Bush’s axis of evil so she is not interested in Gulf War II. Here in Turkey we got $US3 billion but we have a big trade with Iraq and that and our tourist industry will disappear.

And I don’t think Iran’s hardliners are too keen on a US puppet next door that will take over the oilfields for US companies, Ekrem adds.

As I can only agree, I announce my intention to inspect the inside of my eyelids. Umran gives me a passionate farewell on either cheek. I put it down to Turkish friendliness and hospitality. With multiple ’rakis’ on board and the cats seemingly less ferocious I wend my way back to my hotel.

The Pera Pelas. Like the Roman Empire and Pax Americana, it is in a state of decline. Like sleeping in an elegant museum. A bygone haunt of spies and the famous, the Mata Hari and Sarah Bernhardt stayed here. As did Agatha Christie in Room 411 where she wrote Murder on the Orient Express.

I decide to have a nightcap in the Orient Express Bar and reflect on the achievements of another famous guest, Ernest Hemingway. And the foolishness of Bush and Howard. And the fall of the American Empire.