Turkey Update - As I

Turkey Update - As I guardedly predicted a few weeks ago, Turkey will probably allow US troops to use Turkey as a base, even a jumping-off point, against Iraq.

Turkey's top political and military leaders called on the government to take urgent action to allow in U.S. troops.

The announcement came at the end of a meeting that included the leaders of Turkey's new government, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and top generals.

The United States has repeatedly called on Turkey's government to quickly resubmit to parliament a resolution that would let thousands of U.S. soldiers deploy at Turkish bases. Washington had sought Ankara's approval for the deployment in order that U.S. troops could open a northern front against Saddam Hussein's forces in an Iraq war.

"Our government will make the necessary evaluation urgently," presidential spokesman Tacan Ildem said.

How to read between those lines? Let me count the ways:

• The presence of the "top generals" implies the Turkish military is mutedly threatening to exercise its constitutional prerogative to intervene in the Turkish government.
• Yesterday's threat to remove $15 billion in aid from the table got the result it intended
• The Turks are confronting the realization that, if they're not with us on Iraq, a new Kurdistan will form, and there's nothing they can do about it.

Look for a vote shortly - followed by a couple 72-hour days of unloading transports, and some serious traffic jams in eastern Turkey.

Blame Canada - Prime Minister Jean Chretien says Canadian forces in the Persian Gulf will not participate in any upcoming invasion.

I'm sure all 30 of them will be sorely missed in coming days.

Posted by Mitch at March 17, 2003 04:29 PM