Posted on 03/16/2003 9:28:32 AM PST by Happy2BMe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is urging Turkey to keep its forces out of northern Iraq (news - web sites) during any U.S.-led military action due to concerns of a possible conflict with the Kurds, Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) said on Sunday.
Powell also held out hope that Turkey would grant U.S. troops access to its bases and airspace for a possible invasion of Iraq. "They are positioning themselves to take the package back to their parliament. Whether it will be in a timely manner or not remains to be seen," he told Fox News Sunday.
Despite U.S. promises to provide Turkey with a multibillion-dollar aid package, the country's parliament has balked at approving a request to station 62,000 American troops on Turkish soil for a possible invasion.
A second parliamentary vote could still be called by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, though it is unclear whether it would take place in time for U.S. military action, which could be just days away.
Frustrated U.S. officials said last week that the aid package, vital to shielding Turkey against the economic impact of war, was now "off the table."
In rejecting the U.S. troop plan, parliament also voted down a provision for Turkish troops to move into northern Iraq to man a 12-mile border buffer zone and guard against any bid by Iraqi Kurds to found their own state.
"We have made it clear that the situation there (in northern Iraq) is volatile, and it would be better if there were no Turkish forces in as part of any military operation that might take place," Powell told ABC's "This Week."
"They are concerned about that area, but they also know that we don't want to see anything happen that would precipitate a crisis between Turkey and the Kurdish populations in northern Iraq," he added.
While hope for an agreement on troops has faded, the United States is still pushing for overflight rights for any conflict, but officials are increasingly pessimistic. Erdogan has said it was up to parliament to decide on the overflight request.
Some 10 ships loaded with equipment for the Fourth Infantry Division, a high-tech body of 30,000 soldiers, have been waiting off Turkish shores for the order to disembark or divert elsewhere.
When asked if U.S. troops might still be deployed through Turkey, Powell said: "I wouldn't eliminate any of the options that are on the table right now."
"A lot depends on what Mr. Erdogan feels he can get through his parliament, and he has to make that political judgment. Turkey is a great friend, it will be a friend in the future, and we are in the closest touch with them right now."
Powell credited Erdogan and his allies with "trying to do everything they can to get that package through."
In return for backing the U.S. troop deployment, the United States had offered to provide Turkey with $6 billion in direct aid, $4 billion of which could secure loans totaling as much as $24 billion.
As a downpayment on the aid package, which would be subject to U.S. congressional approval, the Bush administration had offered to provide Turkey with an immediate, $8.5 billion bridge loan from the U.S. Treasury.
Turkey is SOOOOO SCREWED! They blew ANY chance they had to control Northern Iraq. Hello Kurdistan!
What, no llamas in Turkey?
It's reasonable to take Turkey to task somewhat, but Turkey has not been badmouthing us globally or in the region. Their leadership has taken this issue before their equivelant of Congree and couldn't get it passed. That doesn't mean they are necessarily against our efforts over there. It simply means that a majority, not that wide of one either, doesn't want us to stage in their nation.
I don't particularly like that, but Turkey has been a rather good ally and I don't think it's reasonable to place them in the same catergory as the French.
On this one they've remained more neutral than committed, but I still believe they are helping in some ways that are substantially less than we wanted them to. Still, that doesn't make them a pariah nation.
Whether or not they are a pariah state, will depend upon how many of America's finest die unneccessarialy because of Turkey Buzzards, turkeyesque betrayal of the USA.
8 posted on 03/16/2003 11:02 AM PST by F.J. Mitchell
All things are realtive. Turkey has been more receptive to US plans than most US. Democrats have been. At least Turkey isn't against the war. If things go badly in Iraq, Turkey will still be our friend. If things go bad in Iraq most Democrats will cut bait and attack this administration vociferously. Even the luke warm support the Democrats have extended to this effort have been based on the US going through the UN which has cost us time, the element of surpise and likely more troop casualties.
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