Hi all; Turkish updates:
Pearson on Turkey and Iraq
BYEGM, January 23, 2003
Columnist Zeynep Gurcanli comments on her recent conversation with US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson. A summary of her column is as follows:
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It’s my understanding that a recent letter from Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to US President George W. Bush unambiguously indicated that the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) grassroots were opposed to any operation against Iraq and so there is no way for Turkey to accept all of the US requests on the issue. Reportedly, this letter made waves in Washington. Don’t take the reports of the US press too seriously. US officials have already recognized that Turkey is a democratic country, and so decisions here aren’t taken so easily.
turkishpress.com
BRITISH CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF BOYCE VISITS TURKEY
British Chief of General Staff Adm. Michael Boyce yesterday paid a visit to Turkey to discuss the latest developments in Iraq with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. A delegation headed by Adm. Boyce met with Gen. Ozkok and a number of high-level Turkish military officials. Boyce reportedly conveyed a message to the Turkish officials that his country wanted to take part in a planned joint northern offensive with the US during a possible Iraq war. Britain is also requesting the use of Turkish airspace and bases in case of a war. For his part, Ozkok reminded his British counterpart of the fact that only political institutions in Turkey, not the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), are authorized to make an official decision on this issue. He added that Turkey does not favor Britain stationing its troops in southeastern Anatolia, stressing that the British government should convey its requests to the Turkish government, not the nation’s military officials.
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FOLLOWING INSPECTIONS, US MILITARY DELEGATION LEAVES TURKEY
A US military delegation yesterday left Turkey after completing 10 days of inspections at the nation’s airbases and seaports. The delegation is to prepare a report on these Turkish facilities to be presented to the Pentagon. If The Turkish government authorizes the US to use its bases and ports during a possible Iraq war, the US is planning to invest approximately $300,0000 to upgrade these military facilities.
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CIA TO FOLLOW TURKISH PRESS FOR INTELLIGENCE CLUES ON IRAQ
The CIA, the chief US government organization responsible for gathering foreign intelligence, is reportedly setting up a working group specifically for the purpose of following Turkish press outlets for intelligence clues on Iraq. The working group will be responsible for following Turkish newspapers, magazines, news agencies, TV channels and radio stations to find out anything that might be relevant to US policy on Iraq. As an alternative, the CIA could seriously reduce its funding requirements by following the poster "Bilow" on silicon investor.
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turkishpress.com
''HISTORICAL'' VETO TO BRITAIN
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce of Britain which acts together with the United States against Iraq visited General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok in Ankara yesterday. Sources said that Boyce demanded, ''we want to deploy our troops in Northern front'' while Ozkok said, ''our government did not authorize us to make plans with you.'' Boyce was told that due to this reason, it was impossible to include Britain in military planning with the United States. In this contact that was held following British Secretary of State for Defense Geoffrey Hoon's visit, negative response was given to Britain and organization of opposition groups in Iraq by Britain constituted an important factor in this negative response, sources said. It was stressed that within this framework, Britain also played great role in determination of policies of formations in Northern Iraq and preparation of draft constitutions and it hosted opposition groups' meetings in London.
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FORCED COMPROMISE
At the ''Peace Summit'' held in Istanbul to prevent a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, foreign ministers agreed on the opinion that Iraq should abide by the U.N. resolutions and cooperate with the weapon inspectors. Intense debates took place especially after Egypt and Syria demanded that the United States should be warned and Israel which was believed to have mass destruction weapons should be condemned. In the joint declaration which was announced after a 4-hour delay, no harsh statement against the United States was issued while foreign ministers said, ''we don't want war''.
FISCHER PLEASED
Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer of Germany which leads the ''anti-war front'' in the European Union was in high spirits during his press conference he held at the Ciragan Palace. It is clear that Berlin perceived Turkey's obstinacy and resistance against ''opening of northern front'' as an ''unexpected pleasing surprise'' rather than ''indecision''.
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NORTHERN IRAQ ENTRUSTED TO TURKEY
According to the negotiations carried out between Turkey and the U.S., the missions of defense and humanitarian aid and preventing activities that aim to disturb the instability in Northern Iraq were given to Turkey. Turkish soldiers won't be involved in a possible war except fulfilling these tasks.
turkishpress.com
Yakis: We Exchanged Views With Fischer
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said on Friday that he exchanged views with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer about the Iraqi crisis, Cyprus, and Turkey's EU membership process. ...
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turkishpress.com
Erdogan: We Did Not Make Any Commitment
Turkish Press, January 24, 2003
When asked whether or not they had made any commitment in their meeting with U.S. President Bush during their visit to the United States that Turkey would stand by the United States about the Iraqi issue, Erdogan said, ''we did not make any commitment. We only evaluated the developments.''
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Erdogan said that they thought it positive as Iraqi Head of State Saddam Hussein permitted inspectors' investigation, adding, ''very different developments may happen after summit meetings. I don't think that hope for peace totally ended.''
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turkishpress.com
Also:
turkishpress.com
-- Carl |
