Turkey's Conditions BYEGM: Wednesday, December 04, 2002
MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the conditions Turkey has set concerning its support for a possible US military operation against Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows: We've seen a virtual flood of visitors to Ankara in recent days: US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and the International Monetary Fund delegation... The Iraq issue, the European Union, Cyprus and our economy are all on the agenda. The Iraqi issue was topic A in the contacts with Wolfowitz and Grossman. The Americans are looking for an answer to their new military scenario envisioning an attack against Iraq from the north. This plan, which was conveyed to Turkish officials in the US and in Ankara, depends on Turkey's support. As part of this plan, which envisages a land operation against Iraq from the Turkish border, the US is asking Turkey for permission to use 10 airports and Mediterranean harbors and for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to help out with its soldiers. During Wolfowitz and Grossman�s contacts yesterday, Ankara reiterated its view that it favors solving the problem without the need for a military operation but that if need be, Turkey's economic losses should be compensated and military and political security concerning northern Iraq should be guaranteed. If an operation from the north is carried out, what are Ankara�s conditions for the US requests to be met? They are as follows: 1. Turkey's losses from a war coming from the north would amount to approximately $20-25 billion. Ankara wants the US to compensate for these losses. In addition, Ankara thinks that this should be done not through "indirect aid" dependent on US congressional legislation, but rather from the US Defense Department. Ankara told the US as much. 2. The US should not allow the establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq. If a federation is established in Iraq, the Turkmens there should have the same status as the Kurds. 3. Peshmergas shouldn't be used or armed during the operation, for the sake of the security of the Turkmens and Arabs in the region. 4. Security and control in northern Iraq should be left to Turkey. During these contacts, Ankara told Wolfowitz and Grossman that the US should increase its pressure on the EU to give a date to Turkey at the Copenhagen summit this month. If a military operation becomes inevitable and if it comes from the north, Ankara doesn�t favor the establishment of British control in the region. Turkey is also requesting that the TSK have control over Turkey�s security. The TSK seems to favor that in case of a military operation, it will have an active position for Turkey�s security and interests. Just as during the Gulf War, it doesn't just want to just sit and watch developments from the border. However, it is paying attention to the acceptance and guarantee of Ankara�s conditions by the US. Of course Turkey would prefer to solve the problem without the need for a military operation. ++++++++++ Wolfowitz: Turkey Has Potential To Undertake More Comprehensive Role In A Possible Operation In Iraq Anadolu Agency: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 ANKARA - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Wednesday that Turkey had the potential to undertake a more comprehensive role than the other members of the coalition in case of a possible operation in Iraq. Wolfowitz told reporters that use of bases, air space and territory and participation of Turkish army were possible choices in that framework. Work on details of this issue continued, Wolfowitz said. But, he noted, Turkey's role is obvious. Wolfowitz stated that Turkey would be with them today and in the future and that Iraqi regime was besieged by international community. Iraq should know that it would be disarmed with the use of force if it did not voluntarily get disarmed, Wolfowitz said. Wolfowitz pointed out that possible participation level of Turkey in the event of use of force had not been decided yet. But, they knew that Turkey would be with them and this was what was important, Wolfowitz said. Wolfowitz noted that a wider participation of Turkey depended on making the issue clearer and what the Northern Iraqi people wanted to see after Saddam Hussein. Wolfowitz said that he saw in his contacts with the Turkish government that Turkey has a great devotion for European values and membership to the EU, adding that he had the impression that the new government has a common understanding with the U.S. regarding the policy U.S. pursues towards Iraq. Wolfowitz said that they took up the issue of what kind of steps can be taken about Iraqi issue from then on, adding that "we also referred to the economic losses Turkey can face in case of an operation." Wolfowitz said that if an economic security network is formed, these losses can reduce to the least, adding that they also took up the issue of what kind of military measures can be taken for protection of Iraqi territorial integrity and for prevention of foundation of an independent Kurdish state. Wolfowitz said that they plan to continue military, political and economic negotiations with Turkey at the highest level, adding that they invited Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Washington D.C in this regard. +++++++++++++ Yakis And Straw Holds A Joint Press Conference Anadolu Agency: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 ANKARA - Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said on Tuesday, "we are in favor of finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Iraq. But, if a military operation is required, Turkey will open its air space, and allow the United States to use its military facilities." Yakis and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw held a joint press conference following their meeting. Speaking at the press conference, Yakis said, "we are in favor of finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Iraq. Before a military operation is launched, all alternatives should be tried." "But, if a military operation is required, Turkey will cooperate with the United States, because the United States is our ally, and we have perfect relations. Whenever it is necessary, we can broaden the dimension of our cooperation. It means that Turkey will open its air space, and allow the United States to use its military facilities," he said. Speaking at the press conference, Straw said that the issues of Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership process, the EU's Copenhagen Summit, the solution plan of the United Nations about Cyprus, the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), and Iraq were taken up at his contacts in Ankara. Recalling that the solution plan of the United Nations was a great opportunity for the sides in Cyprus to solve the Cyprus question which could not be solved for 30 years, Straw said that the plan included satisfactory proposals for the both sides. Straw said that he hoped the sides would seize this rare opportunity. When asked whether or not a concrete progress could be recorded in Cyprus till Copenhagen Summit, Straw said that nine days were quite a long time, and they needed nothing but political will. Responding a question about the issue of Iraq, Straw said that if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein abided by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, a military operation would not be required. When asked whether or not they requested cooperation from Turkey in case of a possible military operation against Iraq, Straw said that they did not make such a request for the time being. Straw noted that a Bilateral Action Plan worth of annual 3 million U.S. dollars was put into practice between Turkey and Britain, and added that they would give priority to fight against illicit drug trafficking. Meanwhile, when asked whether or not a second resolution of the United Nations Security Council was required for a possible military operation against Iraq, Yakis said that the resolution no: 1441 did not allow use of force. "Views of the Turkish public opinion will be influential in taking a decision to allow the U.S. forces to come to Turkey in a possible military operation," he said. When asked whether or not preparations were under way, Yakis said, "it is impossible to get prepared for such an operation in a night. Therefore, consultations between Turkish and U.S. military officials have been continuing for a while."
