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Ankara To Washington: We Are Ready Whenever You Are Ready
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said early on Tuesday that the government couldn't submit the second motion on deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey to the parliament on Feb. 18, adding the government was ready to submit it to the parliament in the shortest possible time when the conditions were fulfilled. "As soon as the check clears" Speaking to the press after his meeting with State Minister Ali Babacan, Yakis said that the negotiation process between Turkey and the U.S. continued within the scope of a possible Iraqi operation and that the sides conveyed their views reciprocally within this process. When asked if there was a difficulty in the process, Yakis said that ''there is no problem.'' ''The reasons why it was difficult for us to present the request to parliament on that date remain. Therefore, we are not presenting it on the 18th, but when conditions are fulfilled we are prepared to present it in the shortest possible time,'' Yakis said. "Like I said, when the check clears!" Upon a question, Yakis said that a new list of demand has not come from the U.S., adding that the consultations continued and that every consultation was a development which was one step forward. When reminded about the difficulties for the written agreement on the economic assistance package between Turkey and the U.S., Yakis said ''this is an issue that stems from the constitutional order of the U.S. The administration can't undertake commitments which also bind the Congress. It is just like our government's not undertaking any commitments that bind the parliament.'' Upon the news telling that the U.S. would bring onto agenda a 'B plan' if the motion was not adopted by the parliament until Feb. 18, Yakis said that Turkey knew the difficulties of the U.S. about this issue and it evaluated that. ''We do the things that are necessary for a solution rather than causing trouble within the scope of strategic cooperation with the U.S.,'' he added. Plan B would be a southern front only option. It would take longer, but we'll do it if we have too. It would also mean no economic aid package for Turkey. They know that too. Political, military and economical negotiations between Turkey and the United States concerning a possible operation against Iraq are continuing. Sources said Ankara conveyed the final point in its expectations from the United States to Washington. Noting that if conditions were appropriate, they could bring the motion regarding the deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey to Parliament, Ankara gave the message to Washington that ''We are ready whenever you are ready.'' Ankara does not want to bring motions concerning dispatching of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey to Parliament without reaching an agreement on memorandum of understanding with the United States. We promised somewhere around $25B in aid, Turkey wants $50B, it'll be a figure somewhere in the middle. Sources said that studies between Turkish and American officials on an extensive text were continuing, however sides had not reach a complete agreement on the text yet. Sources added that it was normal that there could be some problems in such an extensive text. The devil is in the details. Sides made progress in political aspect of negotiations and they partially reached an agreement on ''command'' issue. This would be the Kurdish problem and who is in overall command of Turkish forces that go into Northern Iraq. I don't think the two sides are as far apart as the press reports suggest. The 101st is just now shipping their helicopters and heavy gear, it will take 2-3 weeks to get there. They are working getting the ports and airbases ready to receive them. We've got a little time left to finalize the deal. Posted by: Steve 2003-02-18 |
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