From The Associated Press, 11/7/03:
http://www.cnn.com//2003/WORLD/meast/11/07/sprj.irq.turkey.troops.ap/index.html
Turkey 'will not send Iraq troops'
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) --
Turkey will not send its troops to Iraq to relieve U.S. forces there
after plans for a deployment raised sharp opposition from Iraqis, the
Anatolia news agency reported Friday.
The Turkish parliament's decision last month to approve troops for
Iraq had been a major victory for the United States, which has pressed
hard for Turkey to join peacekeeping efforts.
Turkey would be the first major Muslim nation to send troops to
bolster the U.S.-led occupation.
But Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council quickly voiced opposition
to having troops from Turkey -- or any of Iraq's neighbors -- on its
soil.
Many Iraqis were suspicious of the Turks, fearing they were seeking to
dominate the country or would clash with Kurds in the north.
Turkey's foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, spoke with Secretary of State
Colin Powell late Thursday and told him Ankara would "re-evaluate its
offer to send troops to Iraq," ministry spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said,
according to the semiofficial Anatolia agency.
The agency cited government sources saying the government had decided
not to send troops.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the
confirmation between Gul and Powell. Asked if Turkey was still sending
troops, the official said:
"At this point, it appears 'no."'
Turkey's military has decided to stop preparations for deployment as
well, private NTV television said.
____________________________________________________________
Now what, Georgie?
Harry
.
|
