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To: Stoat
It's unfortunate that you seem to be adopting the same attitude as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and are suggesting that occasional supportive statements against terrorism are unnecessary. We are in a war against an ideology, something that is within people and usually cannot be seen from the outside. The only way that any of us can know who is on the side of the terrorists and who is on the side of freedom is through our words and our deeds. When a government remains silent on such issues, it raises questions and does not answer them, and so creates uncertainty. This is a time in history when it's very important that we all know who are allies are, as our lives depend upon our ability to work together and fight this enemy. We all need to clearly indicate our allegiances, so that there will be no confusion.

Turkey has supported the recent war against terrorism by not only speaking out against it (as she has done for decades while noone seemed to care) but also actively taking part in the struggle through intelligence sharing, cooperation and even two terms in command of ISAF. Turkey has lost more than 30,000 innocent souls in terrorist attacks perpetrated by the PKK(KADEK) based in now US controlled Iraq. I think its time the US took steps in supporting the Turkish war against terror too.

57 posted on 02/04/2005 2:38:06 PM PST by Turk2 (Dulce bellum inexpertis)
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To: Turk2
Turkey has supported the recent war against terrorism by not only speaking out against it (as she has done for decades while noone seemed to care) but also actively taking part in the struggle through intelligence sharing, cooperation and even two terms in command of ISAF. Turkey has lost more than 30,000 innocent souls in terrorist attacks perpetrated by the PKK(KADEK) based in now US controlled Iraq

No one has suggested that Turkey has not suffered or that it is not working in the cause against terror, yet you seem eager to portray things in that light, which is unfortunate.

Equally unfortunate is your apparent interest in characterizing Turkey entirely as a victim in a completely heartless and uncaring world ("while noone seemed to care") This is a terrible insult to people of all nations, myself included, who have given from their own pockets to aid Turkey and other nations for decades, in an effort to help the people of Turkey despite high-level politics that average citizens have no control over. 

 Considering the proud heritage of antiterrorism in Turkey, there's no reason to adopt an indignant " Turkey does not have to prove to anyone that she is against these ragheaded psychopaths"attitude, is there, then?  Turkey and it's citizens should be proud to voice their support of their partnership in the war on terror at any time and any place, as Americans do, without the need for such posturing. 

You end with the ungracious "I think its time the US took steps in supporting the Turkish war against terror too."  You are apparently unaware of this as well, but we have indeed tried to do just that:

http://www.worldpress.org/article_model.cfm?article_id=1258&dont=yes

"Opening up Turkey's airspace fell far short of Washington's original request for the deployment of 62,000 U.S. soldiers in Turkey—a request that Ankara had flatly rejected on March 1. Turkish lawmakers tried to undo what they had gambled away—a substantial aid package, promised by the United States in return for Turkish assistance in the war. The debt-ridden country had been promised up to US$30 billion in cash and loan guarantees as compensation for letting U.S. soldiers deploy on its soil, but Turkish lawmakers could not be swayed.

Ankara's defiance had stunned the United States and opened up a deep rift between the longtime allies. Turkish politicians, in turn, were flabbergasted by the U.S. refusal to offer monetary aid in return for military assistance, as agreed upon on March 20. Sabah (March 21) quoted former Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis: "We thought that America was compelled to get our support. We never believed that America had a Plan B. We were badly mistaken."
 

Despite your unkind words, I will continue to donate to aid organizations that help those in need all over the world, including Turkey.  I know from the pictures I have seen of appreciative Turkish parents and children that your views are not shared by those who have actually seen and been touched by the generosity and benevolence of the United States and it's citizens.

58 posted on 02/04/2005 7:41:01 PM PST by Stoat
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