US, Britain asking Turkey to oversee security in Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS - With just weeks remaining before Britain is due to relinquish the helm of an international security force in Afghanistan, no country has committed to take over the troops' command, diplomats and UN officials say.

American and British officials have been courting Turkey, which has agreed in principle to take the job. But the Muslim nation has set conditions for accepting the task, including guarantees of Western financial assistance and assurances of American military help.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, center, speaks to Afghan diplomats who are in Turkey to get a two-month training in diplomacy, in Ankara on Thursday, March 14, 2002. Cem has harshly criticized Italian police involved in a melee with players of Istanbul soccer club Galatasaray, likening the force to police of "the time of Fascist Mussolini," on Thursday. Galatasaray held AS Roma to a 1-1 draw Wednesday night in Rome, preventing the Italian league champion from qualifying for the Champions Leaguequarterfinals. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Ambassador James F. Dobbins, the American diplomat who played a leading role in forming the interim government in Afghanistan, second left, arrives at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara on Thursday, March 14, 2002, where he met with Turkish and British diplomats and military officials to see whether Turkey will recieve enough military and financial to take over the command of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan after Britain. The other officials are not identified. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Because, like many of our EU "allies", they talk the talk but nothing else. Plenty of crying and Monday morning armchair quarterbacking out of them. However, now that we see that they're given the chance to put up or shut up, they opt to scurry back to their holes and shut up. But I'm sure we'll hear them flapping their gums in a month or so, once again telling everyone else how to do it correctly.

France? Please. They were selling nuclear progam components to Saddam after the Gulf War. Moral high ground versus the almighty dollar. Germany? Same thing. Plus, both countries were supplying him with his 'super gun' parts the first go around. Greece? They've sent what, a single frigate? Would be pretty hard to do anything in a frigate with a land locked country. Aussies, Turks and Brits have proven to be the best allies thus far.

I'd say more a case of Turkey making sure they're not getting handed a no-win situation. Can't blame them with the mess Afghanistan is in, and all the warlords still running around. Interm government is Afghanistan is going to need a LOT of help bringing any sort of normal back to the country, even after the majority of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are killed or chased out. It will take a lot of work to keep a civil war from breaking out, with the former warlords running around with equipped armies and might decide they should be the government instead.

But, Turkey is the best selection. Since they're considered a "Muslim" nation (even though it's quite secular) they won't have the "Great Satan" stigma attached to them. That might warrent better cooperation. Plus, all they have to do is look at Turkey to see that yes, a Muslim country can survive and prosper in the civilized world, but it will take some changes on their part. Biggest problem will be rooting out the "old school" who kept their power via dictator type roles, and bringing in a "new school" way of thinking.

Zandtar, please stop with your hatred

Once again, more yato/oxi-nato spew and name calling. If you don't agree with him lock-step, you're called a "hater" of something. Did I say anything about hating Greece? No. I pointed out their contribution to the war on terror and how it would not be an effective tool in an effort to control and rebuild a country. To think otherwise is foolish.

Greece has sent a total of 407 soldiers

263 of which are on a frigate in the Persian Gulf. Mathmatics says that leaves 144 left for the ground. I don't see a lot of 'control' ability with those sort of numbers. Not that the US or Britian have asked Greece to take the lead of the peacekeeping and rebuilding program. So that is pretty much a moot point.

Greek government is not whining about who will lead the mission.

I never said they were. They were never asked to lead the mission, so therefore there is nothing to whine about. Can't be a part of something you were never considered for.

Turkey is whining because they seek more handouts to save their failing economy, that is the truth.

More yato/oxi-nato "facts". Make a false statement, and drop to the old stand-by of name calling if anyone disagrees with your false statements. And, if anyone posts something factual to refute it, claim the source is invalid.

Turkey is also opposed to any attack on Iraq

Odd, then why are the US airbases in Turkey going non-stop? During the Gulf War, and even present day with the no fly zones. Yep, they sure are "opposed".

while Greece is welcoming 1,900 U.S. Marines on Crete, a deployment for a future attack on Iraq.

More yato/oxi-nato logic. Ignore the fact that there are 10 times that amount in Turkey. Okay, so the Marines landed at Crete as a possible supply/launch point. It's nice that they've got that support. However I wouldn't use that as a point to thump your chest about and boast about how "great" it is, while finger pointing at a country who has welcomed more US military personel and has done more activity in the War on Terror.

Turkey is under ordres from the U.S

Yes, the US is leading the operations, for the most part, on the War on Terror. Stupid point though. One could say Greece is under orders from the US as well. Unless Turkey takes over the operations in Afghanistan then we'd have to say Greece is under orders from Turkey.

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