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| Axis of Evil |
| Turkish News on Iraq |
| 2002-12-31 |
| These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 31, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. However, they are very interesting Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''if a new formation other than we want in Mosul and Kirkuk happens, of course, we have our own dreams and scenarios.'' ''We have to think of every probability of future use of Mosul and Kirkuk oil resources. Everybody can have scenarios and dreams about the region. I don't have any sympathy towards Saddam Hussein. He is an autocrat person who oppresses his people for years. He pushed his country into a war with Iran and 1 million people died.'' ''I cannot tell how many soldiers we have in Northern Iraq. But, I can say that we have a 'de facto' position there. We will solve this issue without offending the United States.'' ''Turkey is not an emirate or kingdom. There is a parliament and the effect of the parliament is gradually increasing. We will hold a secret session in coming days and we will try to convince the parliament.'' Prime Minister Abdullah Gul is uneasy about the atmosphere that ''we are entering into a war.'' The frame that is drawn from Gul's words is this: We will meet at ''a common point'' with the United States. Turkey will never be a spectator of war if a war erupts. If Iraq's unitary structure is not protected, Turkey will have the right to comment on how oil will be used. Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) leader Massoud Barzani, who is reluctant to come to Turkey for two years, will come to Ankara at the beginning of January. Barzani will be received by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis. A high-ranking diplomat said, ''we did not like the stance he assumed in London Conference. We will clearly warn him.'' The United States continues to hold consultations with Turkey for a possible operation on Iraq. U.S. Chief of General Staff Richard Myers will come to Turkey at the beginning of January. When Myers will pay a visit to Turkey is not definite yet. Myers will meet with officials of the General Staff. Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who met with editor in chiefs of national newspapers, requested them to be more sensitive about news related with a possible war. Noting that unfounded news are harmful for economy, Gul said that even the United States has not decided yet. Secret meetings of congress, scenarios and dreams of the future use of the oil fields, stern warnings to the Kurds not to get any ideas, meeting with Gen Meyers, and telling the Turkish press to be "sensitive". Ottoman Empire, anyone? |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Couldn't agree more Brian. This is going to piss off the EU no end. Good. I'm English and sick of it. The Turks have been wound up by the EUrocrats for too long - they ought to look for real allies (some have even thought of incusion into NAFTA!). I can't find the quote at the moment, but a German economist reckons the euro will be dead in 5 years. Can't wait. Here's another one by Milton Freidman http://www.no-euro.com/mediacentre/archive.asp?ID=155 Glad the Poles have their head on straight. |
| Posted by: Tony 2003-01-01 07:38:43 |
| #2 Go forth, young Turks. We have the Poles buying our fighters, we're buying Russian oil and a strong Turkey creates a nice Iron-triangle which royally screws the Brusselsocracy. Happy New Year, everyone. |
| Posted by: Brian 2002-12-31 19:39:58 |
| #1 Does the word "protectorate" or even "occupation zone" sound familar? How about the way that the French paid for their occupation forces by selling the Saarland's coal up until 1956? |
| Posted by: Tom Roberts 2002-12-31 16:18:39 |