Turks pull military liaison with US central command in Tampa, Florida in protest

thescotsman.co.uk ^ | Tue 8 Jul 2003 | The Scotsman

[Destro]

Tue 8 Jul 2003

Turks pull military liaison in protest

TURKEY and the United States are rushing into what Turkey’s chief of staff calls the NATO allies’ most serious crisis of confidence after the US detention of Turkish troops in northern Iraq.

Despite the troops’ release on Sunday, the Turkish military yesterday withdrew two high-ranking officers serving with US central command in Tampa, Florida. The base is HQ for Iraq operations.

Turkish officials said the chief of staff, General Hilmi Ozkok, had also cancelled a visit to Tampa by a senior military commander who was scheduled to attend a handover ceremony.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the US ambassador to Turkey, Robert Pierson, who is ending his term in Ankara, the general told reporters that "unfortunately, this incident has led to the biggest crisis of confidence to date between Turkish and US forces". The 11 Turkish military officials and 13 support personnel captured late on Friday when US troops surrounded their base in the northern city of Suleymaniyah were released after a telephone call between the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the US vice-president, Dick Cheney.

US officials have yet to explain why the Turks were detained.

[Destro]

Turkey Warns U.S. That Its Troops Will Fire Back, Milliyet Says

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[Centurion2000]

NATO is dead.

[Coroner]

Who cares, the intolerant Turks were only allies when it suited them. To find out how tolerant the Turks are go to "http://biblenetworknews.com/" and type in Turkey in their search. Non muslims dont have it so good in "tolerant" Turkey!!

[AlaskaErik]

NATO is dead.

The whole reason for NATO's existence no longer exists.

[sandydipper]

The Turkish Minister of Foriegn Affairs Ozzi Abdul Haffi called President Bush and bitterly complained about the arrest of "allied" troops. He said that for a meer 11 billion in US dollars the whole "incident" could be forgotten.

[Tacis]

If the Turks leave, make sure you count the silverware before you let them out of camp!

[DPB101]

Another government with crippling domestic problems finds America a handy distraction.

[Itzlzha]

Turks pull military liaison in protest.

Now will they pull out of northern Iraq in protest?

Will they stop taking US Foreign Aid in protest?

Thanks...I prefer allies that aren't Islamazis to the core!!!!