Studies Underway For Memorandum Of Understanding Between Turkey And U.S.

ANKARA - Turkey and the U.S. are working to prepare a memorandum of understanding within the scope of a possible operation against Iraq.
No consensus of opinion has been reached in the studies carried out by Turkish and American diplomats and military officials about the law of which country that will be valid for U.S. soldiers who will come to Turkey and about the issue of compensation.
While the negotiations are underway on which law the American soldiers would abide during their stay in Turkey, there are various alternatives for the solution of the problem. Among these alternatives, there is the possibility of implementing U.S. law in case of an incident that takes place among U.S. soldiers and the implementation of Turkish law in case of an incident in which Turkish soldiers or civilians are included. This alternative also changes according to the fact whether those who are involved in the incident are civilians or not.
Another issue on which no compromise has been reached is that of compensation. The compensation of a possible damage which American soldiers can give to the environment when they are in charge in Turkey is also another issue.
Turkey also demands the U.S. government to buy the stationery including the identity cards to be prepared for U.S. soldiers who will come to Turkey.
A high ranking official said that an agreement between the sides has not been reached yet, adding that the studies on the document would continue for a period of time.