Turkish MPs to vote on Iraq force (Today ?)

[legin]

The Turkish parliament is due to vote on Tuesday on sending troops to assist the US-led coalition in Iraq.

The government took the decision the previous day to send up to 10,000 troops at the request of Washington.

<<snip>>

Washington has offered Turkey, which is undergoing an economic crisis, a loan of $8.5 billion but has made it clear that it is conditional on co-operation over Iraq.

Meanwhile, a recent public opinion poll indicated that 64.4% of Turks oppose sending troops.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3170318.stm

[legin]

1. The 8.5bn loan

is about right I think if it is going to be quietly written off at a later date.

If it isn't going to be written off, seeing how I am supplying troops to a fairly unpopular coalition (to put it mildly) which could effect my gaining enterence to the EU, I would want at least northern Iraq and the Kirkuk oil fields as payment.

So it kind of matters what the price for the troops is, if it isn't cash now then it is likly to be oil later.

[Mal]

2. The US shouldn't count chickens.

I seem to remember a deal for US troops to use Turkey being voted out, to the US's considerable shock, during the so-called 'War'.