Turkish FM Gul says Turkey to observe in Kirkuk

Reuters | Thursday, April 10, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

Turkish FM Gul says Turkey to observe in Kirkuk

ANKARA, April 10 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday Turkish military observers would be in Kirkuk soon to track U.S. promises not to allow the northern Iraqi oil hub to be controlled by Kurdish forces.

Kurdish peshmerga fighters swept into the city they say is historically Kurdish on Thursday, news that rattled Turkey.

Gul told NTV television that the United States had assured him the Kurds would not be allowed to stay in control.

"The 173rd U.S. parachute unit will be in Kirkuk within a few hours. Turkish armed forces observers will enter too," Gul said during the live interview.

Turkey has a large force poised to enter northern Iraq to prevent any breakaway Kurdish state there, but Gul said Turkey was satisfied by U.S. pledges not to allow that.

"In the face of these guarantees there is no need for any tension," he said.

[JohnHuang2]

Hey, Turkey? What part of 'Butt-out' don't you understand?

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Quote of the Day by Aeronaut

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[TigerLikesRooster]

RE #1

Paging 4th ID! Hurry up. Or you may have to engage more than one enemy in N. Iraq.

[TAP ONLINE]

Let's see?

No major US forces in Northern Iraq because Turks do not allow us in.

We support Kurds in north

Iraq's Army falls apart

Turks are pissed

Actions (or in this case inaction)have consequences.

All vacuum's are filled

[BushWonGore'sDone]

Sounds like a preemptive observation on behalf of Turkey...could turn nasty

[thoughtomator]

Attention PM Gul:

IFF codes have been changed. And your forces don't currently register as friendlies. The Kurds have risked their lives to help us. You had nothing at risk yet you refused to help us. So if you don't want to explain to the families of dead Turkish soldiers how they got that way, you'll keep them out of the way. After the past few months, there is no doubt whose side we will take in a Turk-Kurd war.

[gcruse]

           Rummy's Turkey doll is almost filled up.