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CJCS Gen Meyers Visits Turkey Monday
The Pentagon's top soldier, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers, is expected in Ankara Monday for hastily arranged talks with his counterpart, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, to try and nail down Turkish cooperation in military action against Iraq. Ozkok has just held his own tricky meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, and reports from sources close to the military tell UPI the general informed the premier that "news reports about 'indecision' regarding the Iraq issue had upset the Turkish armed forces." The Turkish generals are keen to support the United States, claiming that since Washington has clearly decided to go ahead, Turkey had better be on the winning side to ensure that it has a major voice in post-war decisions on the future of Iraq and the role of the Kurds. The last thing the Turkish military wants to see is a de facto independent Kurdistan acting as a magnet and inspiration for its own Kurdish minority. By formally asking its NATO allies for support, Washington has made it easier for the Turks to go along -- and the option of a second front for U.S. and British troops to attack from the north is seen as extremely valuable.The last thing you want, if you are the Turkish prime minister, is to have the Turkish military upset at you. Posted by: Steve 2003-01-16 |
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