Sources: Pentagon to put troops on 'hair-trigger' alert

CNN ^ | 3/14/03 | From Jamie McIntyre

[Jewels1091]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sources say the Pentagon is ready to put U.S. troops massed around Iraq on "hair-trigger" alert -- essentially ready to begin a war if Saddam Hussein attacks U.S. troops, his neighbors or his people out of desperation.

[ought-six]

Which Constitution is that? We have in the past had overflight permission from Turkey, and it never went to Parliament for permission. There is more to Turkey's position than just waiting for its Parliament to do something. Turkey does NOT want a Northern front, mainly due to the Kurdish "problem." Turkey wants to move its own forces into Northern Iraq, and you know it. Turkey will allow the U.S. some limited access to its territory. However, its refusal (and you know as well as I do that Turkey will NOT allow us to establish a Northern front from Turkish territory) to allow us the access we had requested will not change the outcome of the war, but it will change Turkey's relations with the U.S., which was Turkey's only real staunch Western friend (just ask the current members of the E.U just how anxious they are for Turkey to join that august body). I realize that Turkey found itself in a tough situation with all this, but welcome to the real world.

[ought-six]

No way will Turkish troops move on Baghdad.

[ought-six]

No way will Turkish troops move on Baghdad.

[a_Turk]

>> We have in the past had overflight permission from Turkey, and it never went to Parliament for permission.

Sure about that?

[ought-six]

Yes, I am. Now, I'm talking some thirty-odd years ago, so it's anyone's guess which consitution Turkey had at that time. Indeed, Turkey was under martial law for a while in the early 1970s. And I know for a fact we had overflight permission because I was in the Air Force at the time and flew on a C-130 across Turkey.

[ought-six]

Yes, I am. Now, I'm talking some thirty-odd years ago, so it's anyone's guess which consitution Turkey had at that time. Indeed, Turkey was under martial law for a while in the early 1970s. And I know for a fact we had overflight permission because I was in the Air Force at the time and flew on a C-130 across Turkey.

[a_Turk]

The 1982 constitution is a bit different. Troop basing, overflight, etc. permissions are required to come before parliament..

A lot of things changed since the 70s. The president (even though always been mostly a figurehead) is elected by the people since 1982, unlike before, when he was chosen from among the top military brass by some panel, can't be sure of it's makeup - too young then..

Tough thing this democracy thing..