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Turkish Press stories on Iraq (long)
These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 18, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
But they are usually pretty close.CO-COMMAND IN NORTHERN IRAQ
A total of 40,000-55,000 Turkish soldiers will go to Northern Iraq. Two co-commanders, one from Turkey and one from the U.S. will be in charge in the region. Turkish general will command 15,000 Turkish soldiers. The U.S. commander will convey his orders to the other units by the Turkish commander. A consensus of opinion has been reached between Turkey and the U.S. about many military and political issues that are related to Northern Iraq and Iraq. However the differences of opinion between the two sides regarding the economic assistance programme continues. Turkey wants to have a donation worth of at least 10 billion dollars for the first year within the scope of the economic assistance programme, but the U.S. only wants to give 6 billion dollars.
15,000 Turkish troops under direct Turkish control, the other 40,000 or so under US command routing orders er, suggestions, through the Turkish commander. That's the way any joint command works. We're back to the economic assistance being the sticking point.
CLOSE CONTACT WITH EU FOR IRAQ
While Turkey conveyed its demands to the U.S. yesterday, it also had close contacts with the EU. EU took the views of Turkey and it extended support to the peaceful initiatives of Turkey. After the EU summit which was held yesterday, a declaration was announced saying that ''EU supports Turkey's regional initiatives'' within the scope of Iraqi crisis. EU made a special invitation to Turkey to participate in its summit on Iraq.
"regional initiatives" meaning their attempts for a peaceful solution or for their attempt to prevent a Kurdish State? The EU doesn't want to open that can of worms either.
GUL: PREPARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF REFUGEES COME
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who explained his worries to European Union (EU) Term President Greece said that they should support Turkey, if refugees come to Turkey. Gul attended the summit which was held by EU with the participation of heads of states and governments and he said that the motion regarding U.S. soldiers could be brought to Parliament only if economic and political expectations of Turkey were provided. Gul held a press conference after his contacts and emphasized that negotiations on that issue were still continuing and said that if economic and political worries of Turkey were not removed, the issue would not be brought to the agenda of Parliament.
"economic and political worries" = Loans & Kurds.
VISIT THAT AGITATED U.S. WAS POSTPONED
Decision to stop negotiations with the United States for a while which came out from the summit held in Prime Ministry caused military activity. The United States got agitated when Chief of General Staff and commanders of forces decided to visit Turkish units in Iraq border. The visit, which was planned to take place on Wednesday, was later postponed. American officials said that steps could be taken regarding military problems to restart the negotiations. Changed manner of U.S. side in the last few days was effective in the interruption of negotiations.
WTF? Did the US have a fit because the Turkish CGS was going to tour the front lines instead of talking to them?
HERE IS LAST PROPOSAL
The paper listed the demands of Turkish government from the U.S. before submitting its motion on deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey and sending soldiers abroad. Turkey asked for 10 billion dollars of donation and 15 billion dollars of long-term credit from the U.S. to meet its losses stemming from a possible Iraqi war. Turkey also asked the U.S. to meet all of its military expenses, to erase its military credits and to set up qualified industry zones.
$10 billion donation
$15 billion line of credit
Pick up Turkish military's bar tab for 2003 Iraq party
Forgive Turkish Military's debt at PX
Set up qualified industry (free trade?)zones
KURDISH GROUPS WARNED
Representatives of Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq came together with Turkish officials in the region near Silopi town of eastern SÃœrnak province. Military and civilian officials conveyed the reservations of Turkey about the situation in Northern Iraq. The officials stressed in the meeting that terrorist organization PKK got powerful due to the authority vacuum that appeared in Northern Iraq during the Gulf Crisis of 1991, adding Turkey wouldn't let the formation of such a vacuum in the region this time.
You think they have mentioned this point enough?
U.S. WARNS TURKEY
The U.S. warned Turkey when the latter decided not to discuss the second motion on deployment of soldiers in the parliament as long as an agreement is not reached with the U.S. on the economic assistance package. The U.S. told Turkey that ''the bargaining has ended, give your decision immediately.'' The U.S noted that if Turkey does not adopt the motion on Feb. 18, the northern front won't be opened and the support of IMF to Turkey will freeze.
"Yes or No, make up your mind soon! Otherwise, we'll take our business elseware. And I mean all our business!"
NATO REACHES COMPROMISE
The decision of NATO's Military Committee to meet the demands of Turkey asking for protection in case of an operation against Iraq, relieved Turkey very much. AWACS and Patriot anti-missile systems are expected to be deployed in Turkey in 30 days at the latest.
I'd make it sooner if I was you.
BILL OF WAR WILL BE USD 17 BILLION
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said in his meeting with German Ambassador in Ankara Rudolf Schmidt that annual cost of a possible Iraq war on Turkish economy would be 16.6 billion U.S. dollars. He added that written agreements should be made with the United States to eliminate Turkey's economic loss in case of a possible war in Iraq.
Annual cost? We need to read the fine print before we buy this package. I think Iraq will be back on its feet and trading with Turkey sooner than some people think. All in all, I don't think it sounds as bad as some people are reporting.
Posted by: Steve 2003-02-18
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=10380