-Caveat Lector- http://www.guardian.co.uk/turkey/story/0,12700,915700,00.html Threats fly after Ankara's flight ban
Keep out of Kurdish areas, US warns Michael Howard in Irbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Owen Bowcott Monday March 17, 2003 The Guardian Thirteen missile-firing US warships yesterday sailed into the Red sea to obtain a clear line of fire against Iraqi targets following Turkey's refusal to open its airspace to American forces preparing the assault on Saddam Hussein. In a sign that exchanges between the Nato allies have degenerated into political threats, the US warned Ankara to abandon plans to send troops into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Washington is also reported to have withdrawn war compensation, worth at least $15bn, which had previously been on offer in return for permission to deploy 62,000 troops on Turkish soil. The US soldiers were to have been used to open a northern front against Saddam Hussein. The Turkish parliament's rejection of the package and a decision by the new prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to delay a second vote have exasperated the White House. The US secretary of state, Colin Powell, said yesterday: "We have made it clear that the situation [in northern Iraq] is volatile, and it would be better if there were no Turkish forces in as part of any military operation. "They are concerned about that area, but they also know that we don't want to see anything happen that would precipitate a crisis between Turkey and the Kurdish populations in northern Iraq". Turkey, where the population is fiercely opposed to war, appears determined to with hold permission for US overflights, severely restricting options for sending US ground troops into northern Iraq. Nor are Iran, Syria or Jordan likely to allow US military planes to use their airspace. Mr Erdogan told Mr Bush last week that use of Turkish airspace would have to be approved by parliament. The timetable for any further vote on US troop deployments has slipped again; nothing is now expected until next week. As the countdown to war enters its final days, there are only a few US military advisers and members of the special forces operating alongside Kurdish militias in northern Iraq. The enclave could be vulnerable to counter- attack from Saddam's T-72 tanks. The Pentagon may deploy its 101st and 82nd airborne divisions and the 173rd airborne brigade. The troops, most of whom are now in Kuwait, would be flown into Kurdish-run areas and would fight with heavy air force support to make up for the lack of armour. Iraqi opposition leaders will meet US and Turkish officials in Ankara today to warn against Turkish plans to send troops into the Kurdish self-rule area of northern Iraq during a US-led offensive. Zalmay Khlalilzad, Mr Bush's envoy to the "free Iraqis", said: "We oppose unilateral force. Such an action would have a negative effect on US- Turkish relations and Turkey's relations with other countries." Ankara has advanced plans to establish a large-scale military presence in northern Iraq. Although the Turkish army has a few small bases in the Kurdish enclave, it is proposing to set up a buffer zone and scores of refugee camps. Turkey is anxious to prevent Iraqi Kurdistan from taking advantage of the war to become the nucleus of an independent Kurdish state, which it fears could reignite separatist sentiments among its own large Kurdish population. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
