Iraq denounces Turkey's decision to extend permission for U.S. patrols over northern Iraq

AP ^ | 6/27/2002 | N/A

[a_Turk]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq on Thursday denounced the Turkish parliament's decision to extend permission for a U.S.-led force to use a Turkish base to patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.

In a Foreign Ministry statement faxed to The Associated Press, Iraq said the parliamentary vote contradicts Turkish calls for safeguarding the security ( news - external web site) and the integrity of Iraq's territories

"The Turkish government bears legal and international responsibility for any damages inflicted on Iraqis by this hostile force," the statement said, calling the patrols an "aggressive force that is conducting a daily aggression on Iraqi territories in a breach of the U.N. Charter."

The Turkish parliament last week extended for another six months permission for a U.S.-led force to use the Turkish Incirlik air base to patrol northern Iraq. Deputies voted by a show of hands to extend the mandate, as parliament has done since 1991.

U.S. and British warplanes have been monitoring "no fly" zones over Iraq since shortly after the 1991 Gulf War ( news - web sites) to protect the Kurdish minority in the north and Shiite Muslims in the south.

Iraq considers the patrols to be in violation of its sovereignty and frequently tries to shoot down the British and U.S. planes.

[a_Turk]

ping.

[Kryptonite]

"The Turkish government bears legal and international responsibility for any damages inflicted on Iraqis by this hostile force," the statement said, calling the patrols an "aggressive force that is conducting a daily aggression on Iraqi territories in a breach of the U.N. Charter."

Oh yeah, whatcha gonna do bout it??

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this.

This is another real example of how the Turks and their government are our best friends in the Middle East!

Thank you!

[The Vast Right Wing]

Tick, Tick, Tick....

[ZaDomSpremni]

But I thought Israel was our best friend in the middle east! I thought Turkey isn't even in the middle east!

[browardchad]

BUMP for the model of a secular Muslim state, an enemy of terrorism and a friend to America.

[Grampa Dave]

Picky, picky! I need to change that! My old geography, 1940-50 labeled Turkey as a middle east country.

So how would you describe Turkey, geographically!

[a_Turk]

He meant best friend among those with predominantly Muslim populations..

About the geographic extent of Turkey, the country is both in Asia and in Europe. Our population includes elements of both, even Poles who escaped persecution in the middle ages.. 46 different ethnic groups exist in Turkey, even though the CIA won't report that since a persons ethnicity is not a question asked in our national census.

[Grampa Dave]

Thank you, a Turk, for helping an old coffee deficit Grampa. You said what I should have said.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Guess they're gonna' use your planes for target practice now. Tell the pilots to fly safe and fast out of there. I don't want any of the good guys to get hurt. Thanks for the ping.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Iraq on Thursday denounced ... decision to extend permission for a U.S ... over northern Iraq

And the news is where?!?!

[a_Turk]

The news is that the Turkish parliament has for the 22nd time given the US the nod to continue using the Incirlik air base for no-fly zone enforcement in northern Iraq.

Iraqi contempt for the US and Turkey is perhaps not as newsworthy, and more ridiculous than anything. I thought it would make you feel good to read that you are not alone.

[No Truce With Kings]

Maybe the Iraqis will get so perturbed by Turkish "impudence" that they will give us (Turkey and the US) a reason to clean up Iraq once and for all. And once Iraq is in friendly hands we can tell our friends, the Saudis, to pound sand.

[sistergoldenhair]

The Turkish government bears legal and international responsibility for any damages inflicted on Iraqis by this hostile force

Turkey seems to know where its interests lie.
It seems this is a responsibility Turkey is willing to accept.

[WaterDragon]

Good for the Turks. The government in Iraq has to go.

[Frances_Marion]

"The Turkish government bears legal and international responsibility for any damages inflicted on Iraqis by this hostile force," the statement said, calling the patrols an "aggressive force that is conducting a daily aggression on Iraqi territories in a breach of the U.N. Charter."

Oh? ANd what was the invasion of Kuwait and obstruction of UN weapons inspectors then?