As the voting came to a close in New York on 17 October, delegates from African and Caribbean states were hugging, rather than just shaking hands, with the Turkish delegation to congratulate Turkey's election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. What had happened to create such excitement?
For the first time since 1961, and with a historical vote from 151 members of the 192 members of the United Nations General Assembly, Turkey gained the much coveted seat. Turkey, which had been chronically been denied membership owing to obstacles from the Cyprus dispute, finally became an official member of world's most important council. Turkey came out ahead in the European group, with Austria also winning a seat on the council by a difference of 19 votes (151 to 132). This was a big surprise. Iceland, which came near bankruptcy after being hit badly by the global crisis, was the third candidate with only 87 votes.
Starting from 1 January 2009, Turkey has the opportunity to express its views on world matters at the Security Council for the next two years.

The Long and Tiring Marathon

The path towards this membership was long and laborious. Under the technical and tactical leadership of Turkish diplomats, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan, as well as President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan, successfully reached the goal.
Lobby activities were carried out across the globe, from the Caribbean to Latin America, Africa to Asia, and naturally to Europe. Some newspapers tried to minimize the efforts that were being made; making a mockery of Turkey's lobbying with sensational lines, like "small states are being deceived like small boys who are given a ball to play with". However, much was accomplished on what was a limited budget. Hearts of distant states were won. A health center was erected on the little heard about Samoa Islands bearing the Turkish flag, social and cultural centers were established in Africa; conferences on Africa, Oceania and the Caribbean were organized in Turkey and many other initiatives in the same vein were supported. At one point, Australia tried to become a candidate from the Western group, encouraged by the United States; but this was later prevented by diplomatic means.
Turkey has historically been one of the countries that has been subjected to the most injustice at the United Nations. Since the early-1950s, Turkey was elected as member of Security Council only in 1951-52, 1954-55 and in 1961 for a half term. Although Turkey was one of the 52 founding states of the UN in 1945, its efforts for council membership was repeatedly prevented on the recurring excuse that it is party to the Cyprus dispute. In a show of the contradictory practice that is common to much of the UN system, even small states like Comoros became members, in accordance to the rotation system in their regional groups. Rwanda and Burundi, once entangled in a cut-throat conflict, were able to become members. Moreover, India, who is party to the longstanding and bloody Kashmir dispute for over 50 year, managed to become a 5 time member of the council. However, Turkey, since the Peace Operation in Cyprus, has repeatedly been denied. This was true even while the guarantor status of Turkey in Cyprus was recognized by the United Nations.

Criticism of the United Nations
Today, the effectiveness and credibility of the UN, a bulwark organization for upholding the principles of international law, is the source for common mockery. The UN's paralysis in the face of the illegal US invasion of Iraq; its inability to prevent the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda; and its year-after-year budgetary situation are some of the issues that have humiliated the UN. Former Turkish Ambassador to the UN Inal Batu has criticized the power invested in permanent members of the Security Council 1. He finds secret negotiations of the permanent 5 members as anti-democratic and argues that an increase in the number of members of the Security Council (11 to 15) is unproportional with the overall increase in the UN members (52 to 192). UN reform has been progressed at a snail's pace, and an outstanding issue is related to the demands for a permanent seat on the Security Council by Germany, Brazil, India, Australia and Japan at the Security Council. In short, the post-World War II structure of the UN is antiquated and fails to represent the realities of today.

From Regional to Global
Although the mood of elation of Turkey much-anticipated membership did not last long in Turkey given the host of intense political and economic developments that have since dominated the national agenda , Turkish diplomats are rejoicing, and with good reason. The shared expectation within official circles is that Turkey, which has been seen as a strong NATO ally in the Caucasus and the Middle East because of its geostrategic position, is now ready to move beyond its traditional roles and pursue a foreign policy that is more global and independent. As a soft power, it is also capable and well-positioned to play a mediatory role in the resolution of many conflicts.
Some within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs point out that from now on Turkey will pursue a more active foreign policy in Africa and Asia and point to the plans to open 10 new embassies on the African continent in the near future as an example of this heightened policy. Turkey is now on the board of directors of a "world corporation", so to speak, for two years and prepares itself for finding solutions not only to its problems but also addressing the worlds' problems. This apparently has some advantages as well as disadvantages. For instance, Turkey has an advantage when it comes to the Cyprus dispute, especially while the two leaders, Talat and Christofias, are increasing their diplomatic efforts and negotiations are getting progressing. Ankara has been unable to make its voice heard about Cyprus, but now it has a chance. In case the last efforts for a resolution fail, Turkey's membership could be a lifesaver during a period when the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus could finds its place on the agenda.
On the other hand, Turkey must take a responsibility on issues like Darfur, the Caucasus, East Timor or Taiwan. Turkey must act in accordance with the rules governing international politics rather than motives like sympathy and friendship. For instance, Turkey abstained at the UN voting for Serbia's resolution proposal against the independence of Kosovo. However, Turkey cannot abstain in voting about pressing issues now. The world will be in a critical political and economic state during the time that covers Turkey's membership. While the United Nations, a relic of the Second World War, experiences the pains of reform and transformation, Turkey, the forward base of the remainder of the Cold War alliance of NATO, prepares itself to take to the global stage. This will not be an easy ride, and will surely meet with some turbulent times, but Turkey has earned the right to this opportunity and should decisively make the most of it.

TRT Foreign News Edito
Batu, Inal "UN equals to Security Council, Security Council equals to Permanent Five" Strategy 96/2