[xJones]

Either way, it is a sore spot for many in the Bush administration — some of whom think the State Department angering Turkey was no accident. Notes a Defense Department official familiar with the Iraqi opposition groups: "Many top officials at State don't want to go to war in Iraq. State knew the politics of the situation, yet they excluded the group backed by Turkey right as the Turkish parliament was voting on the resolution. It makes you wonder: Is State trying to undermine the president?"

Interesting.

[Wphile]

Interesting article. Frankly, I don't trust State a whole lot more than I trust the UN. That's a pretty low bar to reach.

It seemed to me that Turkey had a pretty good relationship with DOD. Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz seemed pretty confident in the relationship. Can't say I recall seeing that sort of confidence out of State.

[Uncle George]

WRONG; The only factor that brought this vote count against the USA was the members putting Muslim politics ahead of Turkey's well being, (Church before State).

[UncleSamUSA]

I have always been very suspicious of State. These career diplomats have traditionally been more than willing to cozy up to the worst dregs of the Muslim world -- and most especially the anti-Western Saudis-- and have been more than willing to sell out our only true ally in the region --Israel.

State has been most vociferous at Israel for retaliating against Hamas and Hezbollah, but they have always bent over backwards for Saudi support of worldwide madrasas which preach virulent hatred of the US, the West, and all non-Muslim peoples.

Now that very same State Department has caused us all this grief by insisting on the "UN option" and thoroughly bungling it, and now we see that their stupidity may have helped push key votes against us in Turkey.

Time to mount an independent, comprehensive investigation of the entire State Dept apparatus and time to clean house once and for all. I nominate Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney to co-chair the the Commission.

Heh heh.

[Ben Ficklin]

In paragraph 6 of the article there is mention of "ametuer hour".

A USAF retired general mentioned the same thing on ABC news. I don't recall the actual number but there is a large percentage of new/young reps in the Turkish Parliment.

[Semper Paratus]

If the State Department if 'handling' the Korean affair the whole peninsula will soon be 'kimchee'.

[dixiechick2000]

"It is unclear exactly how many votes were swayed by the previous day's snub in northern Iraq, but considering the resolution only failed by four votes out of 534 members present, State's actions there could have been the difference. Either way, it is a sore spot for many in the Bush administration — some of whom think the State Department angering Turkey was no accident. Notes a Defense Department official familiar with the Iraqi opposition groups: "Many top officials at State don't want to go to war in Iraq. State knew the politics of the situation, yet they excluded the group backed by Turkey right as the Turkish parliament was voting on the resolution. It makes you wonder: Is State trying to undermine the president?"

This is the best piece that I've seen regarding Turkey.

IMO, State should not be in charge of anything until the Clintonistas are cleaned out.

[a_Turk]

Thank you for posting this. Even though Powell was very cordial, our FM's delegation complained that their treatment by State was humiliating.

Asinine, this whole thing. Someone is trying to screw both of us...

[Dog Gone]

It doesn't make sense that the State Department would undermine the vote out of opposition to the war, because it won't stop it.

They may have blown it, and I think that's pretty obvious, but it wasn't for the reason suggested.

[a_Turk]

bump

[Sparta]

The State Department has done nothing but screw up since the whole Iraq situation started. They're the idiots who got us in the UN quagmire and now may have embaressed us in Turkey.

[dixiechick2000]

Rush is talking about this article right now.

[rolling_stone]

In my opinion the state department is second only to INS in incompetece....They are infested with liberals, and give out visas like Halloween candy..

[Ranger]

Is there a realistic chance of a second (and successful) vote this week by Turkey? By guess is that they can't so soon without looking like they buckled to pressure. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[I Am Not A Mod]

This thread just was added to the Free Republic Highlights, 3/03/03 thread.

[a_Turk]

If anybody wants on or off my list, now's a good time to let me know..

[a_Turk]

bump

[Nogbad]

ping

[CyberAnt]

"Is State trying to undermine the president?"

Maybe Powell needs to clean house ...??

[Pharmer]

"Many top officials at State don't want to go to war in Iraq. State knew the politics of the situation, yet they excluded the group backed by Turkey right as the Turkish parliament was voting on the resolution. It makes you wonder: Is State trying to undermine the president?"

Yes, absolutely!! I know this for a fact. My Brother in law is one of them. He is a career diplomat, loves Powell, despises Bush. He has traveled all over the world since 1993 and has said how much the rest of the world hates the US. He says we should have signed Kyoto even if it was bad for the US and it based on bad science because it would have made the rest of the world "dislike us a little less". He also resents the fact that the Diplomatic corp has been edged out of the War on Terror and been supplanted by the Defence Dept. He has told me that the carreer diplomats are very frustrated as they are trying to negotiate treaties, grant visas and do other business oversees in an increasing hostile environment. I have asked him why he is blaming Bush for this? His answer was simple "Because he's stupid, the rest of the world can't be wrong." I remember he used to say the same about Warren Christopher and especially Madeline Albright. My feeling is that the carreer beaurocrats resent the elected ones because they don't see them as earning their position. I asked him why he continues to work for the goverment if he feels that way. "Simple, by law I have a job for life and a guaranteed pension!"