MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen writes on Turkey's taking over the command of International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. A summary of his column is as follows:
Great Britain is eager to turn over the command of the multilateral force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to Turkey. Turkey is still hesitant on the issue. The situation emerging from the phone call between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit can be summed up in these words. Britain seems eager on the issue as its term of duty at the ISAF Command will expire on April 22. Blair government would like to leave this duty at the date set particularly due to the pressure of the opposition. The choice of Turkey for the job has many reasons. For starters, Turkey had shown interest in sending troops to Afghanistan and commanding the ISAF. The leading countries of the West, such as the US and Britain see Muslim Turkey which is also a member of NATO as the country cut out for the job. Turkey was among the first countries which announced that it would like to participate in the international force established in Afghanistan. The idea of Turkish troops serving in Afghanistan following the Balkans, excited the public. However, the political and military officials in Ankara found out that this was not as easy as it seemed. Therefore, sending Turkish troops to Afghanistan took some time. At the moment, Turkey prefers to study everything concerned with taking command of the force in detail and talk them over with the allies. According to news in the press, the main issue is focused on money. It is true that Ankara has requested foreign aid to fulfill this mission properly. However, it has been learned that money is not the only reason why a decision has not been made. There are also legal and economic problems involved and Turkey has to know other issues such as, 'What will be the duties and responsibilities of ISAF?' At present ISAF is deployed only in the Kabul region. The US wants some units to work in other regions of the country. These issues and how the ISAF will act in certain conditions should be clearly stated. Otherwise it can be caught in a crossfire. That is why these issues lead Turkey to act cautiously. Certainly this is a mission which will increase Turkey's prestige and effectiveness but the risks involved should be reduced to a minimum.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION