Posted on 03/20/2002 4:27:07 PM PST by vannrox
19-03-2002 ANKARA (AFP) - US Vice President Dick Cheney told Turkish officials that Washington was not planning to take military action against Iraq in the near future, a move which Turkey says would have grave consequences in the region. Such a state might fan separatist sentiment among Turkey's own Kurds and rekindle a 15-year Kurdish rebellion for self-rule in the Turkish southeast which has eased since 1999. Ecevit once again called on Baghdad to abide by UN Security Council resolutions. "I hope Iraq will fulfill the expectations of the international community," he said. Cheney is in Ankara on the last stop of a 12-nation tour aimed at rallying support for the US-led anti-terror campaign and mainly for possible military action against Iraq. Another issue taken up by Ecevit and Cheney was a proposal for Turkey to to take command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Turkey has expressed readiness to assume command of the ISAF, but has requested financial support and clarification of the scope and terms of the mission before possibly taking over from Britain in April. He has also used the tour to try to calm the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and announced he would meet with Yasser Arafat if the Palestinian leader implements a US-crafted truce plan. Cheney tells Turkey no US attack against Iraq in "near future"
"There is no decision (by the US administration) to carry out a military strike against Iraq," Ecevit told reporters after talks with Cheney.
"Cheney underlined that there will not be an operation against Iraq in the near future," he added.
Turkey, the only Muslim member of NATO, is opposed to such strikes on the grounds that it would derail Ankara's efforts to revive its crisis-hit economy.
It is also concerned turmoil could break out in Iraq and lead to the emergence of an independent Kurdish state in the north, which has been outside Baghdad's control since the 1991 GUlf War.
But the US Vice President got a cool reception to striking against arch-foe Iraq.
Turkish opposition parties and non-governmental groups on Tuesday urged the government to clearly explain Ankara's deep concerns to Cheney.
"Cheney's visit is an opportunity. Turkey should do averting in its power not to get involved in this war," said Yasin Hatiboglu from the pro-Islamic Felicity Party, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Just ahead of Cheney's arrival, two demonstrations were held in Ankara and the southern province of Adana respectively, denouncing the United States for reportedly planning strikes on Iraq.
Ankara gave full support to the Gulf War and US jets use bases in southern Turkey to patrol the no-fly zones in Iraq and says it lost 40 billion dollars as a result of the sanctions imposed on Iraq for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait that led to the Gulf War.
Ecevit said that Washington was planning to give Turkey 228 million dollars to help the country cover the costs of its contribution to ISAF and described the move as a "positive gesture".
British, US and Turkish officials are currently holding talks in Ankara on the issue.
Meanwhile, Cheyney's press conference, scheduled for Wednesday, was cancelled for lack of time, US sources in Ankara told AFP.
The US Vice President is to return home Wednesday after a tour which has already taken him to Britain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Israel.
Is September the near future, or the intermediate future? Because the attack will roll out on or about the 1-year anniversary of the 9/11/01 sneak attack.
Even worse than 1995 - the last time I was there according to this NY Times article..
True. :^)
I don't know, I only got as far as the source. :^)
Spoken like a true Turk! If you don't agree then forbid them to speak the way Muslim Turks do in Turkeyland.
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