http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/i/AP-Turkey-Iraq.html
By The Associated Press, January 12, 1999
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Fearing renewed U.S.-Anglo attacks on
Iraq,Turkey's new
prime minister made it clear on Tuesday he would not allow Turkish
basesto be
used for any prolonged bombing of Iraq.
In rare critical statements on U.S. policy, leftist leader Bulent Ecevit
charged that Washington officials could not make up their minds on howto
deal
with Baghdad. The United States and Britain have used their
planesstationed
at the Incirlik air base in south Turkey to enforce a ``no-fly'' zone in
northern Iraq since the end of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
But the allies must seek Turkey's permission to use the planes for
anyother
sort of strikes against Iraq.
In the past Turkey has shown itself unwilling to grant permission --
butit has
never openly openly ruled out allowing such use of the base in order
notto
offend its allies.
But Ecevit, in an interview with private NTV television, came closerthan
his
predecessors ever have to doing so.
``There will be no change in the Incirlik status'' as a base
forpatrolling the
``no-fly'' zone, he said. He then launched into a vocal criticism ofU.S.
policy towards Iraq rarely heard from Turkish leaders.
``I am worried that air raids will increase after the end of
Ramadan,''Ecevit
said, referring to the Muslim holy month which ends on the sighting
ofthe
crescent moon, due in a few days.
``I think the United States does not have any decision regarding thekind
of
solution they want to see in Iraq,'' he said.
``While I hope Iraq will be in more accordance with the world, I
alsohope that
the United States will produce peaceful solutions,'' he said.
Washington and London did not use the planes from Incirlik
duringairstrikes
last month. They avoided asking Turkey permission because they knew
theywould
be turned down, analysts say.
While patrolling the ``no-fly'' zone, U.S. fighters from the base fired
missiles at Iraqi radar sites three times this week. The United
Statessaid the
radar sites had targeted the planes.
``This is the excuse they are using,'' Ecevit said, adding that
Turkeywas
trying to check the U.S. accounts of the confrontations.
Ecevit has in the past objected to U.S. attacks on Iraq and has
visitedBaghdad
to hold meetings with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
International policies on Iraq have become increasingly unpopular
inTurkey,
which says it has suffered politically and lost some $30 million intrade
due
to sanctions on Iraq.
Presenting his government program on Tuesday, the veteran leftist
Ecevitsaid
he would ``give importance to strengthening relations'' with Washington.
Ties to the United States were strained during Ecevit's first stint
asprime
minister in the 1970s. It was his administration that ordered the
1974invasion
of Cyprus, which led to a four-year U.S. embargo on military sales
andmilitary
aid. A strongly pro-secular politician, Ecevit returned to power Monday
afterthe
previous government collapsed in a corruption scandal.
He promised to uphold pro-secular policies against challenges
fromIslamic
political forces and ``accelerate'' economic integration with
thebreakaway
Turkish Cypriot state.
He also said that Turkey would pursue a goal for European
Unionmembership, but
would not yield to any pressures from the 15-nation group.
The European Union wants Turkey to improve its troubled human
rightsrecord and
improve its economy, hampered by chronic high inflation.
Ecevit's government is expected to remain in power only until
electionsApril18.
3. Turkey PM Bashes US Policy on Iraq
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/i/AP-Turkey-Iraq.html
By The Associated Press, January 12, 1999
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Fearing renewed U.S.-Anglo attacks on
Iraq,Turkey's new
prime minister made it clear on Tuesday he would not allow Turkish
basesto be
used for any prolonged bombing of Iraq.
In rare critical statements on U.S. policy, leftist leader Bulent Ecevit
charged that Washington officials could not make up their minds on howto
deal
with Baghdad. The United States and Britain have used their
planesstationed
at the Incirlik air base in south Turkey to enforce a ``no-fly'' zone in
northern Iraq since the end of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
But the allies must seek Turkey's permission to use the planes for
anyother
sort of strikes against Iraq.
In the past Turkey has shown itself unwilling to grant permission --
butit has
never openly openly ruled out allowing such use of the base in order
notto
offend its allies.
But Ecevit, in an interview with private NTV television, came closerthan
his
predecessors ever have to doing so.
``There will be no change in the Incirlik status'' as a base
forpatrolling the
``no-fly'' zone, he said. He then launched into a vocal criticism ofU.S.
policy towards Iraq rarely heard
