Turkey and the Anglo-American war on Iraq

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The Turkish incursion into Northern Iraq

US tells wary ally Turkey that move against Iraq inevitable: Agence France Presse, Wednesday 17 July 2002. America, in it’s determination to oust Saddam Hussein, seeks support from key NATO ally Turkey, which demanded consultations before any strike. Engulfed in a severe government crisis and battling economic woes with IMF loans that Washington had encouraged, the country has little room to manuever against US plans.
US moves closer to war against Iraq: By Patrick Martin, Word Socialist Web Site, 23 July 2002. Last week’s visit to Turkey by US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz marks another step towards full-scale American military action against Iraq. The purpose of his trip was to hold top-level talks towards full-scale American military action against Iraq. The purpose of his trip was to hold top-level talks with the regime whose cooperation is most vital to such an attack.
Turkey links U.S. troops to aid deal: Reuters, [17 February 2003]. Turkey will not open its territory to U.S. troops ahead of a possible war in Iraq without an agreement on financial aid to help cover the cost of the conflict. Whether or not we send the proposal to parliament will come onto the agenda only after an agreement. Turkey is looking for a financial package of at least $4-15 billion to cushion Turkey from the economic impact of any war. Tourism would be hit, interest rates might rise and oil prices could soar, all threatening a key IMF crisis programme aimed at helping the recovery of the fragile Turkish economy.
Aid to Turkey Bends Bush's Tough Line: By Paul Blustein, Washington Post, Friday 21 February 2003. When war looms, economic principles take a back seat to national security considerations—as witnessed by the U.S. offer of $6 billion in grants to Turkey in exchange for allowing American troops to strike Iraq from Turkish soil. As of yesterday, Turkish officials were continuing to hold out for more money.
Turkey’s Refusal Stuns US: They did what? blurted one State Department officia: By Matthew Lee, AFP, Saturday 1 March 2003. US officials appeared stunned by the Turkish parliament’s refusal Saturday to allow the deployment of 62 000 US troops for a possible war with Iraq. The U.S. recognizes the vote as reflecting the will of the Turkish people. U.S. lobbying efforts.
US Troop build up taunts Turkish Parliament: Der Spiegel, (translated), 9 March 2003. Despite the vote of the Turkish Parliament the movement of US troops on the north front of Iraq is apparently continuing with undissipated energy. Parliament President Buelent Arinc reacted with raging criticism.
Turkey fails to open airspace: BBC News, 21 March 2003. The Turkish parliament gave consent for the overflights, but talks with the US have stalled over issues of airspace use and movement of Turkish troops into Iraq. The US does not want Turkish forces to enter Iraq, fearing possible clashes with the local Kurdish forces. 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 in exchange for a multi-billion-dollar compensation package, but the plan failed.
Powell Tries to Keep Turks Out of N. Iraq: Secretary Ties Aid To Cooperation: By Glenn Kessler and Philip P. Pan, Washington Post, Wednesday 2 April 2003. Powell warned that Turkey will have trouble securing $1 billion U.S. aid unless it cooperates swiftly with the U.S. war against Iraq. The U.S. has largely abandoned plans to use Turkey as a launching platform, but now worry that Turkey will send its own troops into northern Iraq.
Turkey and The US War On Iraq: An Interview with Noam Chomsky, 3 April 2003. Is Turkey’s stand a parliamentary accident or did it reflect a coming of age of Turkish democracy? Will good sense or body bags end this war? Is this war truly the turning point in the way international relations are conducted?