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| Iraq |
| Todays Turkish Press Scan |
| 2003-02-20 |
| These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 20, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. VITAL POINT IS MONEY Bargaining with the United States on motion regarded with deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey and dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad, which would be sent to the Parliament, tangled up on ''money''. As important progress has been recorded in political and military parts of the negotiations carried out between Turkey and the United States pertaining to Iraq, the bargaining was mainly locked on the bigness of the economic package. Bush administration is reluctant to accept Ankara's demand to increase the amount of donation which it prepared aiming to compensate the loss which Turkish economy would suffer in case of a war. Bush administration earlier increased this amount from four billion U.S. dollars to six billion U.S. dollars. In Turkey, Turkey's loss has been estimated as 21 billion U.S. dollars only for the first year. It is seen that there is a very big gap among those amounts. NEW IRAQ TO BE FOUNDED IN 8 STAGES In line with Turkey's sensitivities, the United States presented a plan to Ankara which puts forward ''sine qua non'' conditions about issue of ''Iraq after Saddam'' in return for its support to a military operation. The plan which constitutes political framework of the talks on memorandum of understanding, foresees transition into civilization in 18 months. The plan which describes the operation as ''rescue of Iraq'' will be put into practice in eight stages: 1- A 'military government' will be formed shortly after operation. U.S. Central Command Army General Tommy Franks will head this government that will stabilize chaotic environment that is going to emerge after overthrow of Saddam regime. 2- An 'interim civil government' will be formed during same stage. Retired general Jay M. Garner, the first commander of the Provide Comfort, will head this government. This government will settle civil order. 3- A single Iraqi army and a single Iraqi police will be formed. Forces especially the groups in Northern Iraq that have 'army structure' will be prevented from making use of chaotic environment. 4- An Iraqi Consultative Council will be established. This council will form the superior structure of rebuilding of Iraq. 5- A Judicial Council will be formed. The function of this council will be formation of judicial order after operation. 6- A Constitutional Council will be formed. This council will prepare a new Iraqi Constitution. 7- The new constitution will be brought to referendum together with general elections that will be held 18 months after operation. 8- Under ''geographical'' restructuring which constitutes the most important part of the political plan in regard to Turkey, protection of Iraq's territorial integrity is the priority. A kind of 'states system' is planned to be formed not through ethnic, but geographical separation, particularly between Turkmen and Kurds. Plan looks good to me. Of course the Iraqi oposition doesn't like it because they all think they should be in charge. COUNT BACK IN KIRKUK Northern Iraqi Kurdish groups and Turkmen parties started to launch initiatives to hold political superiority in Kirkuk before the war starts. Kirkuk, which is another important oil city after Baghdad, became an issue of political fighting in case of a possible U.S. operation on Iraq. Iraqi opposition groups and Turkmen parties accelerated their secret political activities toward Kirkuk before the war started. They base on the account that those who has political sovereignty in Kirkuk, would have an important part of the Iraqi oil. ERDOGAN CHALLENGES Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted harshly to the U.S. administration. Erdogan said, ''we will not accept verbal guarantee. Many agreements have been made so far, but none of them has been taken into consideration. Prime Ministry will not prepare the motion before our demands have been fulfilled.'' Erdogan said, ''they always expect us to make concession. Nobody has the right to make Turkey to pay a cost as it had happened in 1991. First of all, the demands should be met.'' AK Party leader Erdogan stated that, ''we will not accept verbal guarantee. The agreement that would be made should be like the international agreements.'' They want it in writing. I guess I would too. SENER: EVERYTHING MAY CHANGE IN FIVE MINUTES Council of Ministers discussed in details the developments experienced in Iraq. However, the motion regarding deployment of the U.S. soldiers in Turkey was not brought to signature at the meeting. Government Spokesman Abdullatif Sener said no decision has been taken regarding the motion. Responding to the questions of reporters, Sener said, ''you ask me the situations that may occur within some hours. However, very new developments may occur within five minutes.'' WE GET COMMAND According to the agreement which was reached after bargaining that continued for several days between Ankara and Washington, a Turkish officer will command all of the Turkish soldiers who will enter Northern Iraq in a possible Iraq war. Turkish soldiers will act only upon orders of this Turkish commander. According to the agreement, American soldiers will be under control of an American commander. Also Turkish officials will be assigned at command centers to be formed in Diyarbakir and Qatar to prevent occurrence of any coordination problem. OK. SHIPS WAITING FOR 'MOTION' Although the parliament has not approved the motion that allows crossing of U.S. troops, an American vessel arrived at Iskenderun port and discharged 522 military vehicles. Meanwhile, it was mentioned that several ships that were carrying soldiers and ammunitions cast anchor off Cyprus and they were waiting for approval of ''motion''. Maybe not as good as I thought yesterday. |
| Posted by:Steve |