The way I had read various news it seemed like Turkey would agree to let US provide air cover for Turkey's raid into Kurdistan (I know this is cynical but that's what the whole thing added up to imo). Do you know if Turkey has already moved into Iraq? My appologies if this has been posted already.
ST
Airspace Disagreement Delays U.S. Flights
By JAMES C. HELICKE 03/21/2003 06:14:39 EST
AP
Turkey on Friday delayed opening its airspace to U.S. warplanes for strikes against
Iraq despite parliamentary approval for the overflights, diplomats and military officials
said.
U.S. and Turkish officials held talks through the night, but failed to reach an agreement
on conditions for the overflights, western diplomats said.
Yasar Yakis, a lawmaker in the governing party and the former foreign minister,
confirmed that no agreement had been reached but said the two sides would continue
talks.
Turkey's parliament voted Thursday to allow the United States to use its airspace, a
measure that would allow attack jets on aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean to fly
more directly into Iraq. The United States could also use Turkish airspace to ferry
troops into northern Iraq.
After parliament's approval, the United States still needs the Turkish government's
go-ahead before flying over Turkey.
The resolution passed by parliament would also allow Turkey to move its own forces
into northern Iraq.
The United States opposes any unilateral move by Turkey into northern Iraq.
Washington has warned that a Turkish incursion could lead to friendly fire incidents
with U.S. forces. Iraqi Kurdish groups say the move could lead to clashes.
Turkish newspapers reported Friday that Turkish insistence on sending its troops into
northern Iraq has prevented an agreement on the use of Turkish airspace.
According to CNN-Turk television, negotiations are also locked over Turkish demands
that the U.S. military provide information on the type of planes, their mission, and their
destination ahead of the overflights. The United States wants to be able to use the
airspace without prior notification.
The United States hopes to see the agreement "implemented in the most immediate
fashion," said a western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson held talks until 4:00 a.m with top foreign ministry
officials, but the talks failed to deliver a breakthrough, the western diplomat added.
The measure would not allow U.S. warplanes to use Turkish air bases or refuel in
Turkey.
Thursday's vote granting overflight rights follows intense lobbying by the United States,
but falls far short of Washington's original request to send 62,000 soldiers to Turkey to
open up a northern front against Iraq.
Polls show up to 94 percent of Turks oppose the war, making the government reluctant
to cooperate with the United States.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher had welcomed the vote granting
airspace rights, but said the United States remained "opposed to unilateral action by
Turkey or by any party in northern Iraq."
When asked when airspace would be opened, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said Thursday: "We will inform you about this later."
Parliament earlier this month failed to pass a resolution that would have let in U.S.
ground troops for an Iraq invasion.
The United States had offered Turkey a package of $15 billion in loans and grants if it
lets in U.S. troops for a ground war. But the United States withdrew the aid package
as war drew closer and it became clear that even if Turkey voted in favor, the U.S.
army would not have time to bring in the army units. |
