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| Iraq |
| Keep out of Kurdish areas, US warns Turkey |
| 2003-03-17 |
| Thirteen missile-firing US warships yesterday sailed into the Red sea to obtain a clear line of fire against Iraqi targets following Turkey's refusal to open its airspace to American forces preparing the assault on Saddam Hussein. In a sign that exchanges between the Nato allies have degenerated into political threats, the US warned Ankara to abandon plans to send troops into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Don't bother scheduling the re-vote. Washington is also reported to have withdrawn war compensation, worth at least $15bn, which had previously been on offer in return for permission to deploy 62,000 troops on Turkish soil. The US soldiers were to have been used to open a northern front against Saddam Hussein. The Turkish parliament's rejection of the package and a decision by the new prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to delay a second vote have exasperated the White House. The US secretary of state, Colin Powell, said yesterday: "We have made it clear that the situation [in northern Iraq] is volatile, and it would be better if there were no Turkish forces in as part of any military operation. They are concerned about that area, but they also know that we don't want to see anything happen that would precipitate a crisis between Turkey and the Kurdish populations in northern Iraq". I guess that means Turkey won't gain the province of Mosul. Turkey, where the population is fiercely opposed to war, appears determined to withhold permission for US overflights, severely restricting options for sending US ground troops into northern Iraq. Nor are Iran, Syria or Jordan likely to allow US military planes to use their airspace. Mr Erdogan told Mr Bush last week that use of Turkish airspace would have to be approved by parliament. The timetable for any further vote on US troop deployments has slipped again; nothing is now expected until next week. I don't get the stalling act. It's as good as a 'no'. As the countdown to war enters its final days, there are only a few US military advisers and members of the special forces operating alongside Kurdish militias in northern Iraq. The enclave could be vulnerable to counter-attack from Saddam's T-72 tanks. Ummmm, T-72s, yummy. The Pentagon may deploy its 101st and 82nd airborne divisions and the 173rd airborne brigade. The troops, most of whom are now in Kuwait, would be flown into Kurdish-run areas and would fight with heavy air force support to make up for the lack of armour. Iraqi opposition leaders will meet US and Turkish officials in Ankara today to warn against Turkish plans to send troops into the Kurdish self-rule area of northern Iraq during a US-led offensive. Zalmay Khlalilzad, Mr Bush's envoy to the "free Iraqis", said: "We oppose unilateral force. Such an action would have a negative effect on US-Turkish relations and Turkey's relations with other countries." Ankara has advanced plans to establish a large-scale military presence in northern Iraq. Although the Turkish army has a few small bases in the Kurdish enclave, it is proposing to set up a buffer zone and scores of refugee camps. Turkey is anxious to prevent Iraqi Kurdistan from taking advantage of the war to become the nucleus of an independent Kurdish state, which it fears could reignite separatist sentiments among its own large Kurdish population. Well then, you should have gone along with us, and we would have made sure. Now you'll be kept guessing. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #12 The Washington Post is reporting that Turkey will Allow US troops. |
| Posted by: Arthur Fleischman 2003-03-17 14:43:31 |
| #11 Murat said, "From February 19 till now 2087 vehicles have been unloaded in the Turkish port of Iskenderun and right at this moment the ro-ro freighter âRepublica-Biromaâ continues to unload her cargo of 716 vehicles. " Yeah...so they've been unloaded - but where are they now? Ready for use in the front line?? Anyone, anyone? The fact that the Turks rejected our $15B aid package is says something which I believe is very ominous indeed. Perhaps it is a diversion...perhaps not. If it is not a diversion - it does not bode well at all. In fact, I think it is very, very threatening. Yes, I'm not an expert and don't have the "inside scoop" but as someone who has followed this through what is available in the press, I can say that I have seen nothing, absolutely nothing, in the press that has given me even a teensy tiny indication of cooperation from Turkey. Quite the contrary. I think the Turks have created nothing but huge problems for us - all while slapping on the backs and calling us friends. Perhaps Murat is right and the appearance of non-cooperation is all just a show. That would be nice. Nothing would make me happier than to find out that is true. But if it is, it's been an Academy Award winning performance from all concerned. |
| Posted by: becky 2003-03-17 12:43:30 |
| #10 Playing both sides against the other in search of the best deal is one thing, but it would appear that the Turkish government has managed to get nothing from either Washington or Brussels. Talk about stupid, considering that they're not exactly thriving under the status quo. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-03-17 12:27:49 |
| #9 Because, Murat, both entities should recognize that Occalan, his spawn, and his fellow travelers are a threat to all freedom-loving people and that the elimination of those monsters is a service on behalf of humanity. |
| Posted by: Dan Darling 2003-03-17 11:26:14 |
| #8 Somebody commented "I wonder how long the Turkish military will stand back and let the civilian government operate against Turkish self interest." I would ask you what makes you sure that the Turkish military and the US are on one line? |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-03-17 10:05:52 |
| #7 A touchy situation. The best thing to do is for the Kurds to say that they'll absorb the refugees themselves, and for the Turks to let humanitarian aid through to be pre-positioned: Refugees tend to settle where there's food and shelter. If the Turks point back over the border and say, "Nothing here, it's over there", then they'll move on. It's also time for broadcasts and leaflets to the northern Iraqui peoples telling them what they should do and where to go so they don't go into Turkey by accident. Murat's right: it sure doesn't look to me as if the northern front option has been totally abandoned. However, we may be seeing the elements of a buffer force getting into place to prevent either side from starting anything. I think the Turks will act prudently, but I don't think all the kurds are listening to prudent Kurdish authorities. I can picture some whacko Kurd tribal leader pulling off some damn fool stunt to boost his prestige and bargaining position, getting in trouble, and appealing to fellow Kurds for help. I do not blame you one bit, Murat, for being worried. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-03-17 08:31:55 |
| #6 I wonder how long the Turkish military will stand back and let the civilian government operate against Turkish self interest. |
| Posted by: Canaveral Dan 2003-03-17 07:35:54 |
| #5 Murat I believe he means that festering pot of slime known as saddam's Iraq. |
| Posted by: amomalus 2003-03-17 07:06:30 |
| #4 Hello Anonymus, what pot do you mean? |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-03-17 05:09:19 |
| #3 Welcome back Murat. Vacation? The pot is about to boil over. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-03-17 04:16:38 |
| #2 I donât believe in the whole media fuzz anymore, nor do I believe that the northern front option has been abandoned. From February 19 till now 2087 vehicles have been unloaded in the Turkish port of Iskenderun and right at this moment the ro-ro freighter âRepublica-Biromaâ continues to unload her cargo of 716 vehicles. It makes no sense to say the US has abandoned the northern front plan A option and to continue the deployment of military materials at full speed. |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-03-17 03:56:05 |
| #1 --And now, Fred Barnes, on Tony Snow's panel on Fox News Friday afternoon, reports that they are aggressively lobbying the Turks to not only deny us the use of their territory to open up a northern Iraq front, but to deny us their airspace as well.-- Guess who? via transterrestrial musings. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-03-17 01:18:22 |