Wolfowitz says Turkey made `big, big mistake' in denying use of land

Associated Press ^ | 03/27/03 | KEN GUGGENHEIM

[Brian S]

Turkey's government "didn't quite know what it was doing" in failing to win parliamentary approval to allow U.S. troops the right to use its territory to invade Iraq, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said Thursday.

Wolfowitz described Turkey's decision as a "big, big mistake" but also acknowledged the United States had asked a lot of Turkey and noted that Turkey has granted overflight rights to American planes.

[Brian S]

This is helpful.

[First_Salute]

By all means, just step in there Paul and make matters worse.

[zarf]

The headline (as usual) makes it seem like a doom and gloom threat from the US to Turkey.

The artcicle reaveals the quote is somewhat taken out context.

[Cooter]

They should make the $1 Billion in aid conditional on no Turkish troops in Northern Iraq.

[Sub-Driver]

they are now the "french" list...

[cactusSharp]

matters worse ? the truth needs to be yelled from mountaintops now MORE THAN EVER good freeper. God bless Wolfie

[Blackyce]

Does Paul ever keep his mouth shut? His boss can get away with saying whatever's on his mind, because he's humorous and intelligent. Wolfowitz is just annoying.

[Mister Baredog]

They should make the $1 Billion in aid conditional on no Turkish troops in Northern Iraq.

I'm pretty sure "W" hasn't sent them the check yet.

[BushMeister]

I think such comments should only come out of the mouths of Bush or Powell.

[Tailback]

I wonder if the Air Force will close down Incirlik AFB in Turkey now that we have about 4-5 airstrips in Iraq? I'm guessing that would be another blow to the Turkish economy. I figure we'll definately pull out of PSAB in Saudi Arabia, probably keep a presence in Kuwait and Qatar.

[Always A Marine]

The headline (as usual) makes it seem like a doom and gloom threat from the US to Turkey. The artcicle reaveals the quote is somewhat taken out context.

I thought the same thing.

[Diddle E. Squat]

That would be very short-sighted. Reduce, maybe, but pullout, no way. It will be a long time before we are certain that no Shah of Iraq rises up.

[Brian S]

I agree.

There have been many times that I have heard Rumsfeld make statements that immediately made me think, "whoa mister, your Sec. of Defense not State".

[SevenDaysInMay]

Reportedly, Turkey wanted 10% of the oil/gas from Iraq's northern fields, in addition to our cash.

[a_Turk]

>> They should make the $1 Billion in aid conditional on no Turkish troops in Northern Iraq.

What's a cooter?

[a_Turk]

>> I wonder if the Air Force will close down Incirlik AFB in Turkey now that we have about 4-5 airstrips in Iraq?

It's probably a little too early for that.

[Tailback]

I mean in the next couple of years, one thing's for sure, the next few years aren't going to be boring.

[Cooter]

Cooter is ...

a turtle.
a nickname for a good ole boy.
a character on The Dukes of Hazzard.
slang for vagina.
a town in Missouri.
a poster on FR.

[halfdome]

When did they threaten to overthrow the government of Turkey? Not that I'm surprised, mind you, I just hadn't heard anything about that.

I find it ironic that we're trying to spread democracy throughout the world, but we circumvent it when democracy doesn't agree with our aims (i.e., Venezuela, Chile, etc.)