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Turkeyâs Parliament OKs U.S. on Airspace
Turkey's parliament on Thursday voted to allow the U.S. military to use Turkish airspace for a war in Iraq. The government-backed proposal passed by a vote of 332 to 202 with one abstention. The proposal would allow U.S. warplanes based in Europe or the United States to cross Turkey to strike Iraq. The United States could also use Turkish airspace to transport troops into northern Iraq or to bring supplies to the region. The proposal would not however, allow U.S. planes to use Turkish air bases or refuel in Turkey. Bastards In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said overflights are routinely granted without provisions of economic assistance and that the United States expected the overflights concerning Turkey "will be handled in that manner." British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul Wednesday requesting that British warplanes also be allowed to use the Turkish airspace. Gul said a decision on the issue would come after the parliamentary vote. The resolution also would allow Turkish troops to enter Iraq if there is a war. The government has said Washington had agreed in principle to allow Turkish troops in northern Iraq. U.S. officials have said Washington opposes a unilateral Turkish incursion in northern Iraq. White House special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad held two days of talks with Turkish and Iraqi opposition officials to try to convince Turks to stay out of northern Iraq. Going to get noisy in Northern Iraq tonight. Posted by: Steve 2003-03-20 |
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