Empire of the Ring

Before leaving Baku, Fatima invited a number of domestic and foreign journalists to hold a press conference.

She talked about the suffering of Uyghur at the conference and urged China not to hurt Uyghur mothers’ hearts anymore.

The Queen’s interview caused a tremendous sensation.

It drew more attention because it was a statement made by the Kazakh Queen, who was usually quiet about such social matters.

She did not just target China but called out the countries that shared the same root with the Uyghurs to stop neglecting the situation.

There was an immediate reaction.

Countries that had been turning a blind eye to the Uyghur issue began to show interest.

Turkey was one of them.

As Turkey had been insisting that it was the origin of Central Asia or Caucasus countries, it had to be involved in any way and save face.

The Turkish government called on the Chinese government to stop violating human rights against Uyghurs immediately and expressed its willingness to work with the Kazakh government to resolve the Uyghur issue.

Youngho was also slightly startled because he did not expect the Turkish government to react like this.

Opinions were also divided within Kazakhstan over Turkey’s response.

Prime Minister Kasim ordered the Kazakh ambassador in Turkey to find out the Turkish government’s intention and visited the royal palace.

“Welcome. Mr. Prime Minister, I’ve been very curious. Why did the Turkish government suddenly change its stance? Has our government had any prior communication with it?”

Youngho asked a question before Kasim even sat down.

“I have already instructed our ambassador to Turkey to find out what the Turkish government’s intention is. Perhaps the Queen’s speech has stirred some things in Turkey. She’s never openly involved in any politically sensitive business before.”

“I guess the Turkish government’s move should be a good sign for us.”

It was Turkey, which claimed to be the origin of the Turkic people but did not pay much attention to Central Asia.

It must have responded because of the Queen of Kazakhstan’s press conference asking for attention to the Uyghur issue, but this meant that Kazakhstan would have another country’s support.

“If there’s a conflict with China, it’ll shut its mouth again. I don’t expect much.”

Kasim saw Turkey’s interest as temporary.

This was because the Turkish government kept silent during Kazakhstan’s previous dispute with China.

Considering the fact that it used to emphasize being a brother country to Kazakhstan, its previous conduct was disappointing.

“It would have been difficult for it to get out of its way because of its relationship with China since it was not a stakeholder.”

“Even the Indian government, which has little interest, sided with us, but Turkey, which claims to be a brotherly country ignored us. I just hope it doesn’t interrupt our way in the name of arbitration.”

Kasim was disappointed that U.S. mediation prevented Kazakhstan from taking over the Uyghur region further.

He worried Turkey could be in Kazakhstan’s way this time, following the U.S. step.

“If you think so, I’ll have to draw a line in advance. We can say that we refuse if it wants to play the role of a clumsy mediator. It’s important that we exclude any potential threat to Uyghur’s independence.”

“Your Highness is looking forward to Turkey’s help, and I hope I’m not being too negative.”

“No, there is a limit to what other countries can do to help Uyghur politically and militarily. It would be better than expecting something good and getting disappointed later. The stakeholders to the Uyghur issue are just us and Russia anyway.”

The independence of the Uyghurs was also important, but the purpose of building a buffer zone against China was more important. In that sense, Kazakhstan and Russia were only stakeholders in this issue.

“But let’s listen to the ambassador to Turkey first and come up with a measure.”

***

Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Turkey returned home and visited the royal palace.

“You must’ve been very busy lately, Mr. Ambassador.”

“No, Your Highness. I’m glad that I can be of help to my country.”

Al-Shabin, a former military general, was appointed ambassador to Turkey because he was also the main figure in the coup, and he had been serving as ambassador to Turkey for several years now as he was good at resolving issues between the two countries.

Youngho looked forward to hearing more from him as his face looked bright.

“Have you confirmed why the Turkish government is suddenly eager to get involved?”

“I think it was motivated by the Queen’s speech.”

“Then, are you saying it’s willing to help us purely without any other intention?”

“I think it’s decided that helping us is in its own interest. The recent increase in oil supplies and the production of Russia’s state-of-the-art weapons in our country seem to be a few reasons why Turkey moved.”

In international relations, strong defense and economic power spoke for everything.

This was because no one would listen to the voices of powerless nations as there was nothing to gain from them.

As Kazakhstan’s national defense and economic power had shown remarkable growth, Turkey was interested in gaining benefits from helping Kazakhstan.

“I guess the Turkish government wants something from us.”

“Yes, Your Highness, Turkey was very interested in the fighters that we produce.”

“I hope it doesn’t want the Russian Sukhoi Su stealth fighter.”

Russia’s Sukhoi Su stealth jet, which Kazakhstan just started producing, could not be sold to other countries, so it would be a problem if the Turkish government asked for it.

“Thankfully, Turkey was currently interested in Swedish Gripen fighters right now.”

“Saab has the Gripen fighter’s original technology, so we’re not in a position to get involved… And I wonder why it’s trying to get us in-between.”

“It knows that our royal family is a major shareholder of Saab. The Turkish government wants to produce Gripen fighters on its own.”

The Turkish government seemed to have decided that if the Kazakh royal family stepped up, it would be possible to be promised technology transfer on favorable terms.

For Youngho, it was not difficult to ask Saab for a favor.

However, technology transfer and license production were issues that had to be agreed upon between the parties.

“I understand what you mean. It’s not a difficult favor to do. Were there other requests? I assume the Turkish government would not risk its relationship with China just for that in return.”

“There was nothing else. Rather, the government said it would actively review any of our requests.”

This meant that it would actively jump into the Uyghur problem as well as that the foreign policy of the Turkish government had changed recently all of a sudden.

“What’s happening in Turkey that we don’t know recently? It’s such a sudden change that I’m a little puzzled.”

“There’s nothing special going on except that its relationship with the United States has deteriorated a little. I think it’s inspired by the development of our country and seems to think it doesn’t matter if the Uyghur issue will make it fall out with China.”

“Hmmm… There’s no reason to refuse it when it is willing to help us in a good way. I’ll give you a personal letter, so please deliver my gratitude for supporting Kazakhstan.”

***

Youngho hurriedly called Park Jong-il after his meeting with Ambassador Al-Shabin was over.

This was because the words of the ambassador only were not enough to convince him.

He wanted to listen to the perspective of the head of the Kazakh Intelligence Service.

When he explained what he had discussed with the ambassador in private, Park Jong-il responded casually, “Asking for help with the fighter jet acquisition project is a huge benefit in return. Would it be that easy for Turkey to step up and ask for technology transfer? And given the Turkish temperament, the people think it’s important to keep the Brotherhood. Just take it as a pure intention to help.”

Listening to Jong-il’s story, Youngho felt embarrassed that he became too worn out to see everything with innocent eyes.

“I was in a political arena full of tricks, and now I’m a snob.”

“What are you talking about? You and I used to be snobs in the first place, and we still are. Maybe there’s a more hideous dictator in our hearts than President Aliyev or President Nazarbayev.”

“Oh, come on. Do you have to put it that way?”

“Haha… I’m kidding. All I’m saying is that don’t look at everything by our standards but take it purely.”

“Have you seen purity work in the international community? You will be gulped down in a second.”

“If you really want to find out Turkey’s intention, why don’t you visit it? Then you’ll know right away. It’s also a way to visit Western Europe on the way to Turkey to discuss the Uyghur issue.”

Jong-il’s suggestion seemed to be a good idea.

Unless there was a hundred-percent chance in the Uyghur independence fight, to make the atmosphere favorable to Kazakhstan would be a good strategy.

If the Kazakh royal family officially made a tour in Europe, it would be the focus of the news.

On the other hand, Youngho had high hopes for Fatima.

That was because he had never felt her presence and influential power more these days.

It was Fatima who played 120 percent of her role as queen, politician, and mother.

Even though she seemed to be a vulnerable and sweet woman born in heaven, she was even bolder than Youngho when she was willing to protect her own things.

“I guess I’ll serve as a servant to the Queen.”

If he were to tour Europe, he was going to put Fatima on the front thoroughly.

In some ways, Fatima’s influence was greater than that of Youngho.

“Why don’t you go to Turkey as your last destination? If we win the support of the European Union, Turkey won’t have a second thought. There’s a European Union leadership meeting in Brussels soon. If you’re going to attend as an observer, you’ll probably get accepted.”

It would be worth seeing if the Uyghur issue was addressed at a gathering of all 28 EU member states.

The European Union sometimes adopted a joint statement on global issues, not just on European issues, so it was worth looking forward to.

“If the European Union comes forward with the Uyghur issue, there will be enough justification. Countries will have no choice but to help us.”

Park Jong-il hurried as if he would make an immediate trip to Europe.

“Don’t we have to prearrange our visit?”