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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bilow who wrote (72524)	2/8/2003 11:19:11 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Carl, looks like we made the Turks an offer they couldn't refuse. As I predicted: Report: Turkey to Accept U.S. Troops Turkey Reportedly Will Accept 38,000 U.S. Troops for Possible Iraqi War The Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey Feb. 8 — Turkey's top civilian and military leaders agreed Saturday to let the United States send 38,000 troops to the country to open a northern front should there be war with Iraq, television reported. Washington had asked to station 80,000 troops in Turkey, but in the face of strong public opposition to war Turkish leaders asked the United States cut back the request. The decision, if verified, would have to be approved by parliament, which is expected to meet on Feb. 18 to vote on a bill allowing U.S. combat troops into the country for an Iraq operation. Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, top government ministers and Turkey's military chief, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, met Saturday to iron out the details of the U.S. military presence in Turkey. NTV television said the leaders agreed to let the United States launch attacks from three air bases Diyarbakir and Batman in southeastern Turkey and Incirlik in southern Turkey. U.S. and British planes are already stationed at Incirlik air base, which they use to patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq. The United States would also be allowed to use three other bases for logistical support, and at least one Mediterranean port, NTV said. Neither Turkish nor American officials would comment on the report. Lawmakers on Thursday voted to allow the United States to renovate bases in Turkey ahead of a possible war in Iraq. A top official from Gul's Justice and Development Party said he expected easy parliamentary approval for the basing agreement. Some 3,500 U.S. troops are expected in Turkey to renovate the bases and ports. Turkey's military leaders also decided that Britain would only be allowed to deploy more planes in Incirlik and not have access to other bases, NTV said. Most Turks oppose a war in Iraq. The government has said that Turkey will not fight Iraq, but cannot afford to remain neutral in the conflict and must stand by its strategic NATO ally, the United States. Turkey, NATO's only Muslim member, is only just emerging from a deep economic crisis and Turkish and U.S. officials are negotiating an aid package to compensate for any losses Ankara might suffer in a war. U.S. officials have said a northern front would lead to a quicker war and have been relentlessly pressing Turkish leaders to open the way for U.S. forces. abcnews.go.com