| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Turkish Press News |
| 2003-03-21 |
| LAST MINUTE CRISIS Although the parliament approved motion on sending Turkish troops to northern Iraq and opening Turkish airspace to U.S. planes, the Turkish and the U.S. sides failed to reach an agreement on text deal. The United States could not use Turkish airspace last night while Turkish troops were prevented from entering northern Iraq. Talks between Ministry of Foreign Affairs chief negotiator Ambassador Deniz Bolukbasi and U.S. Vice General Colby Broadwater started before debate on the motion yesterday and continued also after approval of the motion until 9 p.m. While agreement was reached on rules of implementation of opening air corridors, the U.S. overflights which were foreseen to start at midnight were delayed upon Turkey's request. A high-level official said the decision on airspace would be taken today. After this surprising development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal went to the Prime Ministry and sought a solution to the crisis for 1.5 hours with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Although the motion paved the way, any dispatch of Turkish troops to northern Iraq did not happen. Last night, the sides failed to reach a deal on memorandum that sets principles of coordination between the Turkish and U.S. troops in northern Iraq. TURKISH TROOPS ON ALERT Six crossing points which connect Iraq to northern Iraq were closed after U.S. attack on Iraq, and new reinforcement units were sent to the region. Meanwhile, Turkish soldiers are on alert on the border to protect Turkmens, and the limited number of Turkish troop in northern Iraq took motorways along the border under control to prevent migration. ANKARA KNOWS ABOUT WAR ON TELEVISION The United States had informed Turkey of the first bombardment of the Gulf War in 1991, but this time, it did not do it. The United States informed Israel before the attack while Ankara learnt it on CNN International. Replying questions of reporters who asked whether the United States had informed Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''no''. You drag your feet, this is what happens. TURKISH SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN IRAQ The Turkish troops in northern Iraq has begun spreading its military units to the region. Zakhu-Begowa-Batufa Highway was taken under control by Turkish soldiers. Earlier, Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) peshmerga fighters raised their objection to Turkish soldiers' control over the highway. ''IF RED LINES ARE NOT VIOLATED, TURKEY WILL NOT ENTER NORTHERN IRAQ'' Diplomatic sources said that if the red lines were not violated, Turkey would not enter Northern Iraq. During the negotiations with the United States, the Turkish side notified the U.S. side on its view. Turkish soldiers will be kept ready in border region between Turkey and Iraq. If Iraq's territorial integrity is separated, ethnic groups gain control of rich oil reserves or Turkmens are attacked, Turkish soldiers will cross the border and intervene in northern Iraq. NUMBER OF REFUGEES APPROACHING TURKEY INCREASES TO 50 THOUSAND United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Turkey Metin Corabatir said that number of Iraqi refugees approaching Turkey increased up to 50 thousand. Noting that any refugees had not entered Turkey so far, Corabatir said that Turkey had carried out preparatory works to meet urgent requirements of 130 thousand refugees. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #5 Here's a nice photo of our Turkish friends. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/030321/168/3kyfj.html&e=15&ncid=708 |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2003-03-21 10:03:51 |
| #4 We push through air defense gear, and they stab us. We offer 15 billion, and they wait for more. There's an old Sicilian motto - "I dont do favors, I accumulate debts" Maybe someone can translate that to turkish for them? |
| Posted by: flash91 2003-03-21 09:39:48 |
| #3 I've given up trying to understand what this new Turkish government thinks it's trying to do -- because I don't believe they themselves have a clue. They just seem to be a bunch of incompetent clowns who keep shooting themselves in the foot and not getting anything at all for their trouble. A few months ago, they had a moderately firm alliance with the U.S. Now, I doubt anyone in Washington will bother to return their phone calls. |
| Posted by: Glenn 2003-03-21 09:24:14 |
| #2 Well, I wouldn't believe anything what the press writes these days anymore. All the press news lately is more gossip than real news. I guess to take it with a grin of salt is appropriate (maybe a lot of salt) |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-03-21 08:40:49 |
| #1 We also have a Plan C. "Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-03-21 08:14:43 |