Iraq minister says Turkey unlikely to send troops

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26643842.htm

DUBAI, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Iraq's foreign minister said on Sunday it was looking increasingly unlikely that Turkey would send troops to Iraq after Baghdad voiced its opposition.

"This subject is still under study but all the indicators show it may not happen...I think this is positive," Hoshiyar Zebari, a Kurd appointed by Iraq's U.S.-backed Governing Council, told Dubai-based Al Arabiya television from London.

"The indicators are encouraging because there is a halt and a review of the matter, especially since the Governing Council unanimously said it does not want troops from neighbouring states to participate in peacekeeping due to sensitivities and because these countries may have their own agenda," he said.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Friday as saying the United States had asked for a break in talks on the issue. He gave no reason.

more

Who is kidding who here?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/22/iraq/main545328.shtml

Spurning U.S., Turkish Troops Enter Iraq

SILOPI, Turkey , March 22, 2003

(CBS) More than 1,000 Turkish commandos moved into northern Iraq in armored vehicles, a military official said, a reminder to Iraqi Kurds of the power of their northern neighbor and to Washington that Turkey's interests cannot be ignored.

The military move came Friday, the same day that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “We don't see any need for any Turkish incursions into northern Iraq.”

Powell spoke after Turkey delayed opening its airspace to U.S. warplanes for strikes against Iraq, insisting the United States agree to its demands to move troops into northern Iraq.

Turkey later dropped the demand and allowed the overflights but also began beefing up its border forces. Only damaged planes or those carrying wounded will be allowed to land in Turkey.

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[cliss]

1. Clearly, Turkey does not want to get embroiled

in the mess. The fledgling Iraqi council has made it clear they do not want turkish troops as part of the coalition forces. The turks know that they will still be neighbors, long after the US has packed up and left.

It must be a terrible dilemma for Tayyip, because on the one hand the Turkish economy is in terrible shape. They can certainly use the money being dangled in front of them. But maybe they feel it's blood money.

It's certainly a no-win situation for them because they are both muslim countries, and it's criminal for the US to be pitting one against the other.

[lindashaw]

2. Does this mean that we'll get our $8.5 million dollar incentive back?

[T Bone]

3. the money is probably long gone

n/t

[0007]

4. Perhaps the 8 mill may be in Halliburton

and the Carlyle boys pocket by now.