Quite an unprecedented move for Turkey to block it’s airspace to the American military, and so are America’s threats to Turkey. This could get messy…
Threats fly after Ankara’s flight ban
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. Washington is also reported to have withdrawn war compensation, worth at least $15bn, which had previously been on offer in return for permission to deploy 62,000 troops on Turkish soil.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”. Turkey, where the population is fiercely opposed to war, appears determined to with hold 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. 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.
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.
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.
Sadly, the US sure is isolating itself in virtually every region of the world.
The US had to reject Turkey's plans for sending troops into the Kurdish-controlled areas - Turkey's infiltration would have spelled a PR disaster for the few Kurds living in those regions who still rely on the US to "liberate" them.
Coming from Zalmay Khalilzad, an American official, this is rich indeed:
"We oppose unilateral force. Such an action would have a negative effect on US-Turkish relations and Turkey's relations with other countries."
and just like frnch fries were named patriot fries, turkey sandwiches will be named freedom sandwiches. Instead of Turkery at Thanksgiving you will have a freedom bird? :)
Sounds as if Turkey wants to be a player after all and doesn’t want to lose its multi-billion dollar reward for doing so.
Shortly after deciding against offering help, its currency hit new record lows against the dollar and debt and share prices slid.
According to Reuters, "The head of Turkey’s influential armed forces, General Hilmi Ozkok, present at Monday’s meeting, has already made clear that he believes Turkey will be better off in any war than out of it.
Active assistance for the United States would enable Turkey to have a say in the future of Iraq and help it to minimize the economic damage of a war, he has said."
Thus, Reuters reports “Turkey signaled on Monday it was ready to take urgent steps that could help its NATO ally the United States open a “northern front” from Turkey in any war on neighboring Iraq.”
The United States is desperately trying to strike a deal with Turkey to use its airspace. From Washington, Leigh Sales reports Ankara has reneged on an earlier agreement passed by the Turkish parliament.
Privately, US officials are furious at Turkey’s to-ing and fro-ing, saying the use of the airspace is crucial to allied efforts in Northern Iraq. But Secretary of State Colin Powell says he’s already had a long conversation with the Turkish Prime Minister about the problem. " And I hope we can clear it up, if not we’ll have to find alternative arrangement. But I’m still hopeful it can be cleared up. " Turkey would like to move its own troops into Northern Iraq, because it fears Kurds may assume control of the region, and create the independent Kurdish state Turkey greatly fears. Leigh Sales, Washington.
I guess the question is, that after refusing air-space to US, if Turkey goes ahead and occupies land in Northern Iraq, will US forces fight to kick out the "invading" Turkish army?
The question is interesting in two ways.
Firstly, right now, we have a new definition of the word "liberation", and Turkey can quite rightly point out that it is also "liberating" some areas from the control of Kurds. There is practically a very thin line between "invaders" and "liberators", these days.
Secondly, this is the same Turkey, for whom just a few weeks ago, the US had a bitter fight with France, Germany and Belgium, in the NATO, so they aid Turkey's defences in case of a threat. Times change so quickly. :)
Any confirmation on the Turkey renege? I’m not seeing Reuters/AP wires confirming it?
In any case, I support the Turkey expedition because Iraq cannot be broken up by US action. The US did not care for the world opinion/laws before it went ahead into Iraq, wouldn’t it be rich for it to prevent Tueky from taking “pre-emptive” action
Frankly the presence of Muslim Turks as well any other neighboring nations crossing into Iraq would not be such a bad thing.
One item of note: I took huge offense at the Iraqi flag being lowered and the US flag raised in it’s place. The news media says that it was temporary, but it smacks of colonialism a la Britain (who are involved as well). I am far from an Iraqi nationalist but just to see the flag bearing the words “Allah Hu Akbar” taken down hits my Muslim sensibilities very much!
Barbarians at the gates!! I hope U235 and mighty Pak centrifuge tech prolifrates at an excelerated rate and the final product tested right in the heart of US and its illigitmate child TSI… Its about time what little Kims & Minh did in the far east (past present and future) that example be repeated in the middle east. Never will the ba$tards look that way again never…
TSI=Terrorist state of Israel whose economy is in the hands of few stone throwing Pali kids…
but just to see the flag bearing the words “Allah Hu Akbar” taken down hits my Muslim sensibilities very much!