Global Policy Forum

Turkey's parliament agreed today to allow the U.S. military to use Turkish airspace for a war in Iraq, the Anatolia news agency reported. The decision took on added urgency now that U.S. bombers are striking Iraq. The government-backed proposal would allow American warplanes based in Europe or the United States to cross Turkey to strike Iraq. The United States also could use Turkish airspace to transport troops into northern Iraq or to bring supplies to the region.

The proposal would not, however, allow U.S. planes to use Turkish air bases or refuel in Turkey. The United States, for example, cannot use Incirlik air base, a sprawling facility that houses 50 American fighters used to patrol a "no-fly zone" over Iraq. The United States for months has been pressing Turkey, NATO's only Muslim member, to allow in 62,000 soldiers to open a northern front against Iraq. But as the date for an Iraq war drew closer, Washington requested the urgent use of Turkish airspace for overflights. There is strong opposition in Turkey to an Iraq war and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer spoke out today against U.S. strikes against Iraq.

"I don't find the United States' unilateral behavior right before the U.N. process is completed," Sezer said. Sezer, whose position is largely ceremonial, has long said any military action should have United Nations approval. He would not, however, have the power to veto the airspace resolution if it passes.

The government of new Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been dragging its feet in asking parliament to approve the troop-basing resolution. A first agreement allowing in U.S. troops failed by just four votes and the party is concerned about a second vote. "It is important that our party's unity is not disrupted," the Anatolia news agency quoted Erdogan as telling legislators before the parliament session opened.

Turkish officials have not ruled out a similar motion later. "At the moment what they want is the airspace," said Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, who returned from talks in Washington. "We will see what other requests they may have later." The United States offered Turkey a $15 billion package of loans and grants if it let in U.S. troops. As war drew closer, U.S. officials said the package no longer was on the table, apparently abandoning hopes for opening a northern Iraqi front from Turkey.

Economy Minister Ali Babacan said the original U.S. aid package no longer was valid, but left open the possibility of a new financial deal. In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said overflights routinely are granted without provisions of economic assistance and that the United States expected the overflights concerning Turkey "will be handled in that manner."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Wednesday requesting that British warplanes also be allowed to use the Turkish airspace. Gul said a decision on the issue would come after the parliamentary vote. The resolution also would allow Turkish troops to enter Iraq if there is a war. The government has said Washington agreed in principle to allow Turkish troops in northern Iraq. U.S. officials have said Washington opposes a unilateral Turkish incursion in northern Iraq. White House special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad held two days of talks with Turkish and Iraqi opposition officials trying to convince Turks to stay out of northern Iraq.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Global Policy Forum distributes this material without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.