US warnings against Iraq worry neighboring Turkey

ANKARA: Suggestions that Iraq might be next on the list of US targets in the war against terrorism are raising fears in neighboring Turkey, which served as the launching pad for attacks against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War.

Turkey, which fully backs the US-led anti-terrorism campaign and was the first Muslim country to commit combat troops to Afghanistan, was firmly against spreading the campaign to its southern neighbor.

But now, ahead of a visit here by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the government seems to have relaxed its opposition.

In recent days, US officials have accused Iraq of developing a germ warfare program, and President George W Bush suggested on last Monday that once the al-Qaeda network is routed from Afghanistan, he may shift the campaign to Iraq.

On Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said his country does not want an operation in Iraq but added that "new conditions could bring new evaluations onto our agenda."

His comments signaled a shift in Turkey's Iraq policy, leaving the door open for a wide range of talks during Powell's visit.

Although Powell, who will hold talks with Turkish leaders on Wednesday, has stressed that no one has declared war on Iraq, Turks remain worried.

Many fear that if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is ousted, Iraqi Kurds who control a de facto autonomous zone in northern Iraq would take advantage of a power vacuum to set up a Kurdish state which may boost aspirations of autonomy-seeking Turkish Kurdish rebels.

Also, Ankara was hit hard by UN-imposed sanctions on Iraq and feels it has not been compensated for an estimated $35 billion in losses from trade and the shutdown of the oil pipeline between the two countries.

In addition to serving as the base for attacks during the Gulf War, Turkey still hosts US and British planes that enforce a "no-fly" zone over northern Iraq.

Michael Radu, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, said Turkey's support is crucial for any military action against Iraq.

"Basically, I do not believe that we can do anything about Saddam Hussein without decisive support from Turkey," said Radu. "If for no other reason, just logistics."

Turkish concerns about a broader war were further fueled by suggestions this week from former CIA director James Woolsey that Turkey could send in troops to Iraq in return of a share in the oil-rich Mosul and Kirkuk regions of northern Iraq.

Ferruh Demirmen, a Turkey analyst, said Turkey could agree to make ground and air space available, depending on the strength of evidence against Iraq and the political and financial assurances that the United States might give as to the aftermath of a post-war Iraq.

But he said the Ankara government would have a hard time justifying sending Turkish troops into operations against Iraq.

Woolsey wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Tuesday that Turkey's concerns about the Kurds could be met by giving it a role to establish order in northern Iraq together with the local Iraqi Kurdish opposition groups.

Murat Bozlak, leader of Turkey's only legal pro-Kurdish political party, the People's Democracy Party, said unification between Kurds of the two countries could be a result of military action in Iraq.

"There are Kurds and Turkmens in northern Iraq. We think that if they and Turkey agree then a unification could be possible following an intervention," Bozlak said.

Turkish leaders are not likely to accept such an offer.

However, despite the cost of sticking by Washington's side in its anti-terror war, most agree that there is little Turkey can do. US support is vital to Ankara in its bid to join the European Union and for the construction of an oil pipeline that would bring all Caspian oil through Turkey - the most likely reasons behind Turkey softening its policy.

( AP )

	HOME \| NEWS \| Irak-Debatte	Druckversion
	3. 12. 01 \| The Times of India US warnings against Iraq worry neighboring Turkey ANKARA: Suggestions that Iraq might be next on the list of US targets in the war against terrorism are raising fears in neighboring Turkey, which served as the launching pad for attacks against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. Turkey, which fully backs the US-led anti-terrorism campaign and was the first Muslim country to commit combat troops to Afghanistan, was firmly against spreading the campaign to its southern neighbor. But now, ahead of a visit here by US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the government seems to have relaxed its opposition. In recent days, US officials have accused Iraq of developing a germ warfare program, and President George W Bush suggested on last Monday that once the al-Qaeda network is routed from Afghanistan, he may shift the campaign to Iraq. On Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said his country does not want an operation in Iraq but added that "new conditions could bring new evaluations onto our agenda." His comments signaled a shift in Turkey's Iraq policy, leaving the door open for a wide range of talks during Powell's visit. Although Powell, who will hold talks with Turkish leaders on Wednesday, has stressed that no one has declared war on Iraq, Turks remain worried. Many fear that if Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is ousted, Iraqi Kurds who control a de facto autonomous zone in northern Iraq would take advantage of a power vacuum to set up a Kurdish state which may boost aspirations of autonomy-seeking Turkish Kurdish rebels. Also, Ankara was hit hard by UN-imposed sanctions on Iraq and feels it has not been compensated for an estimated $35 billion in losses from trade and the shutdown of the oil pipeline between the two countries. In addition to serving as the base for attacks during the Gulf War, Turkey still hosts US and British planes that enforce a "no-fly" zone over northern Iraq. Michael Radu, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, said Turkey's support is crucial for any military action against Iraq. "Basically, I do not believe that we can do anything about Saddam Hussein without decisive support from Turkey," said Radu. "If for no other reason, just logistics." Turkish concerns about a broader war were further fueled by suggestions this week from former CIA director James Woolsey that Turkey could send in troops to Iraq in return of a share in the oil-rich Mosul and Kirkuk regions of northern Iraq. Ferruh Demirmen, a Turkey analyst, said Turkey could agree to make ground and air space available, depending on the strength of evidence against Iraq and the political and financial assurances that the United States might give as to the aftermath of a post-war Iraq. But he said the Ankara government would have a hard time justifying sending Turkish troops into operations against Iraq. Woolsey wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Tuesday that Turkey's concerns about the Kurds could be met by giving it a role to establish order in northern Iraq together with the local Iraqi Kurdish opposition groups. Murat Bozlak, leader of Turkey's only legal pro-Kurdish political party, the People's Democracy Party, said unification between Kurds of the two countries could be a result of military action in Iraq. "There are Kurds and Turkmens in northern Iraq. We think that if they and Turkey agree then a unification could be possible following an intervention," Bozlak said. Turkish leaders are not likely to accept such an offer. However, despite the cost of sticking by Washington's side in its anti-terror war, most agree that there is little Turkey can do. US support is vital to Ankara in its bid to join the European Union and for the construction of an oil pipeline that would bring all Caspian oil through Turkey - the most likely reasons behind Turkey softening its policy. ( AP ) WADI e.V. \| tel.: (+49) 069-57002440 \| fax (+49) 069-57002444 http://www.wadinet.de \| e-mail: