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Iraq
Iraq Leader Welcomes 10,000 Turkish Troops
2003-09-10
Iraq’s acting president on Tuesday called for Turkey to send up to 10,000 peacekeeping troops under a U.N. mandate, providing they deploy far from Kurdish territory. The invitation contradicts the foreign minister.
Entifadh:"The Gulf of Oman needs more security, we’ll send the Turks there!"
Ahmad: "But that’s not even close to our country!"
Entifadh: "Even better!"
Entifadh Kanbar, spokesman for Ahmad Chalabi, the member of the Governing Council’s nine-member presidency who is serving for the month of September, also said Chalabi had been invited by the Turkish government to pay ``a very important visit.’’ ``We are welcoming the participation of Turkish forces under the United Nations resolution ... in the western area in Iraq under the condition that this force should not exceed 10,000,’’ Kanbar said, referring to a resolution proposed by the United States. A Turkish force in Iraq is an extremely sensitive issue because of the large Kurdish population near the Turkish border, where some Kurdish rebels took refuge in the mountains after fighting a 15-year rebellion in Turkey. An estimated 37,000 people died in that fighting, and Turkey is concerned that instability in Iraq could re-ignite the war. Turks and Kurds have a centuries-old animosity. Turkey also worries the Iraqi Kurds may be trying to carve out a separate homeland in northern Iraq that could inspire Turkish Kurds.
Keep screwing Uncle Sam and it’s more likely to become a reality (hmmm, a Rantburg Futures?)
Window's probably too long — five years, minimum...
Turks overwhelmingly opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and many question whether their soldiers should risk dying for a mission they largely don’t support. The Turkish government is weighing a request to parliament to send troops, under pressure from the United States, but is keenly aware such a move could divide the ruling party and threaten the government’s stability. Yet the influential Turkish military supports sending a force. ``The legitimacy (of the war) can be debated, but that’s in the past now,’’ said Turkish Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. ``If the United States is unsuccessful and there is instability there, this will concern Turkey.’’
Is it only the military types that have any common sense in Turkey? Oh, hi Murat!
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said he expects his government to decide this month whether to send in peacekeepers. Parliament would also have to approve the deployment. ``I believe that when the government makes a decision, our party, and our (parliamentary) group will back it,’’ Gul said Tuesday, emphasizing no decision had yet been made.
Unlike last time!
Posted by:Steve White

#6   I think sooner or later it will be time for a shake up of these so called tribal leaders.
Exile to southern Patagonia sounds about right. Far, far, southern Patagonia - say, Rio Gallegos. We can ask the Argentines if they'll take them - along with a suitable foreign aid bribe. Kinda hard to control the Sunni Triangle from there...
Posted by: Old Patriot   2003-9-10 3:02:39 PM  

#5  I believe that's what the famous Iraqi information minister kept saying prior and during the war. I think sooner or later it will be time for a shake up of these so called tribal leaders.
Posted by: Rafael   2003-9-10 1:44:09 PM  

#4  Mr Cenabi should have told:

"We cut the throats of US soldiers, will behead the Turkish soldiers and then we will crush Israel in six days".

Talk is cheap.
Posted by: JFM   2003-9-10 6:04:05 AM  

#3  For those who are interested in the link of the above translation (it's in Turkish): http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2003/09/10/dunya/dun02.html
Posted by: Murat   2003-9-10 6:02:45 AM  

#2  Might be interesting how tribe leaders regard the occupation.

I have translated a recently published survey by a Turkish newspaper Milliyet on the stance of tribal leaders in Fallujah where probably the Turkish “peace keepers” will be stationed. Several tribe leaders where asked about a possible stationing of Turkish troops. Without further comment.

Mehemdi tribe leader Haji Resul: “We won’t welcome Turkish soldiers in Fallujah because America wants them. With an UN resolution we won’t say anything, but if they come on American request we’ll fight.”

Halabjah tribe leader Sadun Aziz: “Even if they are Muslim we won’t allow soldiers from any nation to enter Fallujah with the Americans”.

Alvani tribe leader Jihad Acik: “The Fallujah people won’t accept any occupier”

Al Cumayli tribe leader Sheikh Mizher Casim Muhammet Musavvah: “We call Muslim countries to help and not to occupy. We don’t want soldiers here.”

The Ulema leader (Shia religious leader) sheikh Abdullah Al Cenabi threatened: “We cut the throats of US soldiers and will behead the Turkish soldiers. Anyone who serves the Americans will be killed by the inhabitants of Fallujah”

Posted by: Murat   2003-9-10 5:56:16 AM  

#1  And if the Turks to go into Iraq, we have too worry about them carving out a piece of the Northern zone for themselves.
Posted by: Charles   2003-9-10 2:27:41 AM  

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