Posted on 06/26/2004 10:45:39 PM PDT by Lando Lincoln
Soon after the Turkish Parliament failed to approve a motion to allow American troops on Turkish soil and thus open a northern front against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army, the atmosphere between Ankara and Washington really became polluted and there were speculations that President George W. Bush had written-off Turkey.
But time has proven to be a real remedy in Turkish-American relations, thus allowing both sides to iron out serious misunderstandings, getting to understand the concerns of each other and making amends. Of course the fact that the Americans seriously misjudged the realities of Iraq and duly made mistakes have also helped.
Those who were simply saying the United States would pull out its military presence in Turkey and move out of the Incirlik Airbase and would then open several bases in Iraq have been proven wrong. It is clear the Americans are having serious difficulties trying to hold on in Iraq. They are in no position to even keep the base at the Baghdad airport let alone open new bases.
At the time we were telling our American friends not to act in haste on Turkey. We told them that Incirlik was and would be vital for their security interests in the future, while Turkey should not be judged only by its proximity to Iraq, but with its golden strategic importance to Washington as a strategic ally with close links to the Balkans, Central Asia, Caucasus and the Middle East.
Time has proven us right.
Turkey and the United States have much to do together as friends and strategic allies and we are happy to see our American friends are now aware of this. We feel the arrival of President Bush in Ankara emphasizes this.
Meanwhile, the United States remains the only superpower in the world shouldering important responsibilities for the preservation of global security and stability. Thus, when its standing erodes in Iraq because of an array of reasons, ranging from failure to bring stability to the country, to providing the basis needs of the Iraqi people and to the prison abuse scandals, we know its global prestige and credibility is hurt and we are seriously concerned.
The United States is obliged to preserve and even enhance the superior values that have been established by the founding fathers of this great country and set an example to the whole world.
The world looks up to the United States for inspiration and leadership. That is why we feel the United States is now obliged to correct the mess in Iraq and lead the international community in a meaningful and effective fight against terrorism.
Welcome President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush in Turkey. You are among real friends.
I don't get why Bush is kissing a$$ in all the wrong places.
Here's where I stopped reading and started skimming, and found all the usual code words; just another anti-GWB piece from a Muslim government.
Thank you though, lando, for letting us know that the wolf still wears wool.
Exactly where I started skimming too. Iraq may be much calmer in a year or two and then we shall see what happens to that air base.
No it hasn't. Back wounds take a looong time to heal.
The writer of this article is whistling past the cemetery, trying to avoid the stink from his Easter basket -- into which he as $hit....
Turkey blew it....big time....and possibly irrecoverably...
Their behavior has indicated, they are more Islamist than ally..
A real "friend".....with their hand rooting through our pocket...
Semper Fi
Turkey sold out our northern offensive war plans.
Now three of their people are being held hostage, threatened with beheading. We shall see how they respond as friend or foe....
Turkey sold out our northern offensive war plans.
Now three of their people are being held hostage, threatened with beheading. We shall see how they respond as friend or foe....
I was just starting to get over the feeling of betrayal when I read this article and remembered what feint friends the Turks are.
Perhaps Incirlic could be replaced by some sort of
floating-island air base.
It's a nice article, but I understand George Bush is not very popular in Turkey. I don't hold a grudge against the Turks. It's their country and if they didn't want us going there to get Saddam that's fine.
You're right, its their country. We have been their loyal ally for decades, and they chose to backstab us.
Make no mistake, if they had never been willing to support the war, I would have had far less objection than I do. They led us to believe they would be helpful and allow us to transit their country. Then when the boats with 4th ID were in their port they demanded more and more money. They tried to mug us, and they forced us to go to war with only 1 Army heavy division instead of 2. That could have cost us tremedous American blood, in fact, that is what the Turks were banking on...that we HAD to pay them in cash or pay in blood.
That is no ally, and we should NEVER trust them again.
We got Turkey into NATO. We are the only pressure to let them into the EU. We were (note tense) their friend.
They have shown their true colors, while they may or may not be the enemy in waiting, they are certainly no friend and certainly should not be the recipient of American favors or funds.
Do we have to paint Turkey with so broad a brush here?
Wasn't it a pretty close vote involved in that 4th ID shakedown scheme? Correct me if i'm wrong here, but I got the impression that the Islamic factions in the Parliment narrowly got to pull that off against more moderate / pro-US Members.
First I hear that the Turks all hate us with a passion, then I hear that at least some of them are OK with us... who are we to believe, here?
Not the media, that's for sure!
In another topic, "a-Turk", who seems to know a thing or two about all of this, mentioned a deal where some 80,000 Turkish Troops were supposed to accompany our Northern assault as part of the deal; when Washington balked on that plan (I suspect out of reasonable concern for the fate of the Kurds between Turkey and Iraq) the Turks pulled the plug on the whole deal.
I had not heard that scenario before; have you?.
No sooner had I posted that when AlZaqueerie got REEEEALY stupid and started taking the heads off of Turks he'd be stepping in it double-deep, then sure enough, he has his goons snatch 3 of 'em and promises to do just that.
Now it was suicidal enough to lop a Korean, what with 3,000 ROK Troops on their way over to pay a visit (and as any VietNam Vet will tell you, a few ROKs go a long way); Of all people you think he'd know that historically, frigging around with Turks has never been conducive to longevity.
At this point I'd just as soon let a couple of Brigades of Turks take over Falluja for Tea, since the local Constabulary obviously isn't up to the task, and let 'em have at it. What a jolly party that would be?!
The trick would be getting the Turks in and out AROUND kurd turf.
...And cleaning up what's left of Falluja when the Turks get done with 'em.
Then if Najaf hasn't seen the light, we can send the Turks down there for desert.
They'll bloody well wish to Allah that we'd nuked 'em instead.
You think you've seen utter savagry and barbarianism from AlZaqueerie?
Sahib; you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Readin past Ilnur's indignation, I feel the article ends on a positive note.
And those who do not like his conceit, should look at a mirror holding binoculars backwards..
Wonder where "a_Turk" is? He usually pitches in on these types of articles, to defend the position of Turkey.
Oh, and thanks, Lando Lincoln. You come up with a lot of good stuff.
Lando
Yes, we have to paint Turkey with so broad a brush. They, as a country, backstabbed us. Yes, their population is divided. So is ours, so is Britain's, so is Poland's. Some countries do what is right, some don't step up to the plate. And if they said no dice from the beginning, I could have respected that...but they strung us along and tried to waylay us.
No, the Turks were not part of the invasion plans. They publicly said that they would not participate, only allow transit.
As for the Koreans: I respect their army. They are competent. Are you aware of how hidden away and safe they are going to be. They rejected many places we asked them to take over. They are hiding out in the middle of no where in the north western desert, far from all the action, and far from people. While the ROK soldiers may be quite capable, their gov't isn't letting them near anything.
Neither the Turks nor the Koreans are going to put the fear of God into our enemies. That is, once again, being left up to us.
Yeah right. Just like when we're in Paris.
"Friend" must translate oddly from Turkish to English.
Thanks for abandoning us when we needed a brave ally and lecturing us about what a great ally you are from afar. Don't worry Turkey. We'll remember precisely what a great "friend" you've been.
With the exception of the exact Turkish troop figure, yes. It was fairly prominently reported at the time of the invasion. The Kurds hate the Turks. The Turks hate the Kurds. The Turks are terrified of a free Kurdish state. The Kurds are terrified the Turks will seize the northern Iraqi oil in Kurdish land and annex Kurdish territory. We thought it best to keep such rational and civilized folks apart. And we were right.
Had the Turks truly been allies, this would not have been a deal breaker. They had a chance to show the character of our alliance. They did so. We can't count on them at need. They have to be bribed to lift a finger on our behalf.
This is not exactly a new or unusual situation in geo-politics. But we're not such suckers we're going to be fooled into thinking the Turks are real friends and allies, in the sense that the United Kingdom is.
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