We Gave No Word To The U.S.

MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila writes on a possible military attack on Iraq and Turkey's position if the attack happens. A summary of his column is as follows:
The US is determined to strike on Iraq; this is as clear as the light of day. What remains uncertain is the scope and method of such an attack. The US is searching for and in need of the support of Iraq's neighboring countries. US Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz's main concerns during his visit to Turkey were along these lines. Following the US delegation's contacts in Ankara, it was argued that Turkey had assured the US that it would fully cooperate in a possible attack and that it bargained on this by putting its debts to the US on the table, demanding that they be cancelled. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit denied any such quid-pro-quo and told me the following: 'We gave no word to anyone. On the contrary, we reiterated our sensitivities. We have not entered into any engagement. We have our eyes on the region and we are doing what is necessary.' It is remarkable that the US is strengthening its military reinforcements in the south, namely in Kuwait, Qatar and in the pro-US United Arab Emirates, thus giving the clear signs of a land operation to be launched from the south of Iraq. However, the US does not enjoy the same comfort on Iraq's northern borders, that is, those next to Turkey. It is obvious that the US may want to resort to its military bases and airfields in Turkey in an airborne assault, but a land operation to Iraq from southern Turkey is unacceptable for Ankara. Under these circumstances, what will Turkey's position be? Ankara is watching the developments in northern Iraq very closely to safeguard its national interest and integrity. Turkey is vigilant about a possible wave of immigration flowing from the region to Turkey and it is also wary of a political fait accompli there. In order to guard against such developments, strategists say that Turkey should deploy its military forces in northern Iraq and be ready to react rapidly so as to defend its national interests independent of those of the US. Thus, it would be a misinterpretation to say that Turkey's support to the US in its possible strike on Iraq hangs merely on bargaining over its financial debts.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION