TURKIYE- Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on a possible US military attack in Iraq and the US president’s apparent change of mind concerning the timing of the war. A summary of his column is as follows:
The US president’s speech yesterday showed that the US is going to delay its military campaign in Iraq for another couple of weeks. The US could even refrain from striking at Iraq if its issue were not oil but rather Saddam Hussein alone. Yet Washington will, without any doubt, carry out its military designs on Iraq, citing Saddam’s refusal to cooperate fully with UN weapons inspectors.
Worldwide protests against the prospect of a war in Iraq, the resistance of Russia and France, and Turkey’s rightful demands from the US have all worked together to make George W. Bush opt for a delay on the issue. This week, however, it became apparent that the US has almost completed its preparations for a military campaign when US Gulf Region Commander Gen. Tommy Franks and US NATO European Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Ralston came to Ankara to confer with the Turkish General Staff. Moreover, the US just has sent another aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf. And the National Security Board (MGK) yesterday discussed a possible war in Iraq.
The US’ promises to compensate Turkey’s losses in a possible war, which will definitely hurt Turkey greatly, count for nothing. Instead of these shallow promises, the best aid that US could lend would be urging the EU to set a date for Turkey’s accession talks at December’s Copenhagen summit. As a war in Iraq draws ever closer, Turkey’s stance in such a conflict will be very important. But it shouldn’t be forgotten that Turkey’s long-term interests and future are in the EU and in catching up with European standards.”
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION