Posted on 03/17/2003 6:14:14 AM PST by Sabertooth
March 18 2003
Thirteen missile-firing US warships have sailed into the Red Sea to obtain a line of fire against Iraqi targets after Turkey's refusal to open its airspace to US forces preparing to attack Saddam Hussein. In a sign that exchanges between the NATO allies have degenerated into political threats, the US warned Ankara to axe plans to send troops into Kurdish-controlled north Iraq. Washington is also reported to have withdrawn war compensation, worth at least $US15 billion ($A25 billion), which had previously been on offer in return for permission to deploy 62,000 troops on Turkish soil. The troops were to have been used to open a northern front against Iraqi forces. The Turkish Parliament's rejection of the package and a decision by new Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to delay a second vote have exasperated the White House. US Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday: "We have made it clear that the situation (in northern Iraq) is volatile, and it would be better if there were no Turkish forces in as part of any military operation. "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." Turkey, where the population is fiercely opposed to war, appears determined to withhold permission for US overflights, severely restricting options for sending US ground troops into northern Iraq. Nor are Iran, Syria or Jordan likely to allow US military planes to use their airspace. Mr Erdogan told President George Bush last week that use of Turkish airspace would have to be approved by parliament. The timetable for any further vote on US troop deployments has slipped again. Nothing is now expected until next week. As the countdown to war draws to a close, only a few US military advisers and members of the special forces are operating alongside Kurdish militias in northern Iraq. The enclave could be vulnerable to attack by President Saddam's T-72 tanks. The Pentagon may deploy its 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The troops, most of whom are in Kuwait, would be flown into Kurdish-run areas and would fight with heavy air-support to make up for the lack of armour. Iraqi opposition leaders will meet US and Turkish officials in Ankara today to warn against Turkish plans to send troops into the Kurdish self-rule area of northern Iraq. Zalmay Khalilzad, Mr Bush's envoy to the "free Iraqis", said: "We oppose unilateral force. Such an action would have a negative effect on US-Turkish relations and Turkey's relations with other countries." Ankara has plans to establish a large-scale military presence in northern Iraq. Although the Turkish army has a few small bases in the Kurdish enclave, it is proposing to set up a buffer zone and scores of refugee camps. Turkey is anxious to prevent Iraqi Kurdistan from taking advantage of the war to become the nucleus of an independent Kurdish state, which it fears could reignite separatist sentiments among its own large Kurdish population. - GuardianUS loses its patience with Turkey
By Michael Howard
Irbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Sometimes a turkey just can't help being a turkey.
Wow, now there is a thought.
Stuff 'em!
Absolutely. IMHO, these "coalitions" must pose significant problems for generals trying to plan. It also increases the chance for friendly fire accidents. So, when we go it almost alone, we'll be better off in the long run.
Our terms should be: hand over all your terrorist elements and we will permit you to have a republic.
If Turkey doesn't like it, too bad. They made their choice.
My prediction: they get more and more opposed to U.S. policies. One thing for sure, their actions will result in more U.S. casualties. And I hope, like with France, Germany, and Russia, we do not forget.
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