Turkey Getting Prepared To Undertake Active Role In Afghanistan

ANKARA - Turkey is getting prepared to undertake an active role in Afghanistan within the framework of NATO again, sources said on Friday.
Sources said that countries making military contribution to NATO could be kept responsible for Afghanistan's security till 2008 in turn.
The same sources noted that Turkey allocated three army corps to NATO within the scope of NATO operation in the Balkans a few years ago.
In this context, Eurocore, the core of European army which is led by France and which includes limited number of Turkish soldiers, is expected to undertake the first mission in Afghanistan.
Italy, Spain or Turkey are expected to take over the mission from France.
The same sources said that Turkey had not yet made a definite decision about the schedule of the mission and was considering the issue.
But, the same sources stated, many people thought that Turkey should be the second country undertaking the mission in Afghanistan following France.
The same sources noted that Turkey should undertake the mission at the beginning of 2005.
In this case, Turkey can increase number of its soldiers, currently 240 in the region, to 1,500 according to military alternatives.
The same sources said that the result would be seen in a short time.
The sources stated that in which part of Afghanistan Turkish reconstruction team comprised of 200 people including 80 soldiers would serve was expected to become clear in the following week.
Ankara continued to insist that the Turkish reconstruction team should serve in Taqhar region, the sources said.
Noting that NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) was positive towards Turkey's choice, the same sources stated that the steering committee in Kabul had not yet taken a decision on Turkey's choice.
(BRC-AÖ) 21.05.2004