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Iraq
Turkey fails to open airspace
2003-03-21
Turkey has delayed opening its airspace to US aircraft because of disagreements over its military role in northern Iraq.
The Turkish parliament gave consent for the overflights on Thursday, but overnight talks between US and Turkish officials failed to resolve key issues. "We have taken a break in talks with the US because there are major brick walls snags both concerning airspace use and movement of Turkish troops into Iraq," a Foreign Ministry official told the Associated Press news agency. Talks are due to resume on Friday evening.
Yeah. They'll get around to it, eventually...
The US does not want Turkish forces to enter Iraq, fearing possible clashes with the local Kurdish forces. Large numbers of Turkish troops are reported to have massed on the border. Press reports say some units have already crossed over.
It's all about oiiilll... Well, in this case it is.
The US originally asked Turkey to grant permission for 62,000 of its troops to use the country as a launchpad for an attack on Iraq. Turkey would have received a multi-billion-dollar compensation package in return. US officials say the financial package has now been withdrawn.
Fer sher!
Turkey wants to send troops into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq in order to stem a potential tide of refugees and prevent the Kurds forming a separate state. The US has said its forces will manage the refugee problem, and take control of the Kirkuk and Mosul oilfields just south of the Kurdish-controlled area. However, BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond says that until Turkey opens its airspace, the US is unable to lift troops or equipment to the area. Turkish officials say that the agreement for US aircraft to overfly the country does not extend to allowing them to refuel at Turkish airbases. The Cumhuriyet newspaper quotes a US official as saying: "We are having difficulty understanding this."
Me too! Kind of strange for an 'ally'
Turkey has also said it does not want US and UK aircraft patrolling the UN no-fly zone over Iraq to take part in combat operations.
Posted by:Kerry

#9  Maybe the US should support a DEMOCRACY in Kurdistan (including the Kurds now under Trukish control). Not too much of a stretch, since the Kurds have developed a democracy in the northern no-fly zone of Iraq. Then Turkey wouldn't be the only deocracy in the Islamic world.
Posted by: Anonymous   2003-03-22 00:51:05  

#8  Two comments: (1) Turkey will never gain entrance into the EU if the Germans have any say in the matter. Germany is teeming with Turks as it is, and a lot more Turks (families, workers) would flood into Germany to join them if Turkey joined the EU and the border were somewhat nullified. The Germans are terrified of this and will do absolutely everything to keep Turkey out. Turkeys best bet was working with the US and they've botched that as well. (2) For long term stability in the region the US might want to bet on a democratic Kurdistan. If not, they will be fighting for a homeland by the end of the decade. The Kurds in Northern Iraq already have democracy. Turks had their chance, not its best for the US to go with right decision.
Posted by: Yank   2003-03-21 11:44:28  

#7  Murat: "What's the problem plan B works fine anyway"

Careful, Murat, that almost sounded like French. Can Turkey afford trashing both European and American alliances?

As for any excessive Turkish ambitions in northern Iraq, be advised that we have a long history of shooting looters.
Posted by: Tom   2003-03-21 11:03:31  

#6  (Continued from above)

Of course, it does remain to be seen if any messiness ensues. I, personally, hope the agreement between the Kurds and the Turks (which, I understand it, means that the Kurds won't get too wayward, and the Turks won't cross the border)...
Posted by: mjh   2003-03-21 09:58:57  

#5  < Murat >

The Imperialist Turkish swine do not care about the rights of the Iraqi people. They do not listen to their allies, they care only for their own interests! It's all about the OIL!

< / Murat >

It kind of sucks when principled objections are turned against oneself...

Murat, you have been denouncing US motives as imperialist and unilateral for a while now. I'll be interested to see if Turkish actions in the next few weeks will be equally denounced...
Posted by: mjh   2003-03-21 09:53:24  

#4  That whooshing sound is Turkey rocketing to the top of the list for EU admission.
Posted by: matt   2003-03-21 09:37:41  

#3  If Turkey decides to ignore the US and move troops into Northern Iraq it could get real ugly between the US and Turkey
Posted by: AWW   2003-03-21 09:17:36  

#2  What's the problem plan B works fine anyway
Posted by: Murat   2003-03-21 09:09:02  

#1  Perhaps they think if they can keep US forces out of the north, they'll be able to control and/or exploit the Kurd situation.
Posted by: Anonymous   2003-03-21 09:00:23  

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