Turkey paves way for U.S. troops
Top council endorses basing foreign forces in country
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 31 — Turkey’s top military and civilian
leaders Friday endorsed basing foreign troops in the country, a
move that could open the way for U.S. soldiers to use Turkey
as a base for military action against Iraq. The decision by the
powerful National Security Council also called for government
and parliamentary approval for sending Turkish soldiers
abroad.
THE DECISION by the council comes after intense U.S.
pressure for basing rights in NATO member Turkey. Also, Turkish
generals have repeatedly said that they want to deploy soldiers in
northern Iraq if there is a war to maintain stability.
The council, which groups the top Cabinet members and
generals, issued its recommendation after a 6 1/2-hour meeting.
“The National Security Council recommends ... that peaceful
means continue to be sought, and on the other hand that parliament
take steps in accordance with Article 92 against unwanted
developments and activate military measures necessary to protect
Turkey’s national interests,” the Council said in a statement.
Article 92 of the Turkish Constitution says that any decision to
send Turkish troops abroad or host foreign troops in Turkey must
be approved by parliament.
Council members did not speak after the meeting. The council
traditionally issues short statements after its meetings and does not
elaborate.
HOPE FOR PEACE
The government has been extremely reluctant to allow in U.S.
troops and has been pressing for a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Turkey last week hosted a meeting of Iraq’s neighbors that
called on Baghdad to fully cooperate with the United Nations
inspections regime in the country to search for banned chemical,
biological and nuclear weapons.
Turkish leaders fear that a war will destabilize the region and
derail Turkey’s fragile economic recovery.
Polls show that Turks are overwhelmingly against a war, and
the new government is keenly aware that allowing in U.S. troops
has virtually no popular support.
But Turkey depends on the United States for political and
economic support.
Latest on showdown with Iraq
The United States has reportedly asked Turkey for permission
to base 80,000 soldiers in the country to open a northern front
against Iraq. Turkish officials have asked Washington to scale back
its request. Newspapers have speculated that Turkey could agree
to the stationing of up to 20,000 U.S. troops.
msnbc.com |
