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| Iraq |
| Turkish Press Scan |
| 2003-02-27 |
| THIS JUST IN: FOX NEWS REPORTS THAT MOTION TO PERMIT US FORCES TO DEPLOY IN TURKEY HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL SATURDAY! DEVELOPING These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 27, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. HERE IS NORTHERN FRONT After the Prime Ministry motion about dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey is approved by the parliament, 80 vessels will bring U.S. soldiers and military equipment to Turkey. These soldiers and equipment will be deployed in military bases in Turkey, which will constitute the Northern Front in a possible U.S.-led military action against Iraq. TURKISH EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD EVACUATED Turkish Ambassador to Iraq Osman Paksut and 11 embassy staff departed Baghdad and returned to Turkey. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Turkey temporarily suspended the activities of its embassy in Baghdad as of February 26 due to extraordinary atmosphere in Iraq but diplomatic relations with Iraq were under way. BABACAN: ''8.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS WILL BE SENT TO TURKEY'' State Minister Ali Babacan said, ''if U.S. President George W. Bush starts a military action against Iraq, a bridge loan of 8.5 billion U.S. dollars will be sent to Turkey.'' Babacan added, ''the United States has proposed us a loan of 24 billion U.S. dollars or a donation of 6 billion U.S. dollars. Conditions of the loan are more appropriate than conditions of the donation.'' Hope they git a good interest rate on that loan. 20 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS FOR SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT The United States has rented Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport for six months in return for 20 million U.S. dollars. The airport will be used to provide logistic support to the Northern Front in a possible U.S.-led military action against Iraq. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND UNITED STATES ENDS Political, economic and military negotiations between Turkey and the United States about a possible military action against Iraq ended. The sides will sign the memorandum of understanding later today. Meanwhile, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''the memorandum is not perfect, but we have to endure it.'' PARLIAMENT VOTES 'FIGHTING' The motion on deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey and sending of Turkish soldiers abroad is expected to be voted in the secret session in the parliament today. Some deputies within the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) told in AK Party group meeting yesterday that the motion had to be divided into two and voted separately. The ministers couldn't persuade those AK Party deputies and the AK Party group meeting will continue today. Following the sending of the motion to the parliament by the government, President Sezer called Parliament Speaker ArÃœnc to Presidential Palace. "Speaker Arync, I want to make you an offer you can't refuse." DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. SOLDIERS IN TURKEY TO START ON MARCH 3 If the Prime Ministry motion about dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey is approved by the parliament, deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey will start on March 3. The delegations will complete the negotiation process on Sunday after approval of the motion. Later, the United States will start deploying its soldiers and military equipment in Turkey on March 3. HERE IS MILITARY ACTION PLAN The Turkish delegation has displayed a successful performance during the negotiations with the United States about a possible military action against Iraq. The United States has accepted 95 percent of Turkey's requests. According to the agreement reached between Turkey and the United States, Kurdish groups and Turkmen will be given only light weapons. These weapons will be taken back after the possible military operation ends. Turkish Armed Forces will use its weapons in case of an attack on Turkmen people and Kirkuk-Mousul oil pipeline and for self defense. Security of Turkmen people will be provided against any attacks. |
| Posted by:Steve |