And so it begins...

Willem · March 21, 2003, 13:18

From CNN:

"But the United States opposes any unilateral move by Turkey into northern Iraq."

Sorry George W., you set the example, you can't complain about others following in your footsteps.

Full article

jim panse · March 21, 2003, 13:21

There´s nothing more to add but "Thanks, Mr President".

Willem · March 21, 2003, 13:57

And this one too:

Protest turns ugly

Dis · March 21, 2003, 14:10

that's bad news indeed

I thought you were talking about all those ugly hippies in San Francisco

Willem · March 21, 2003, 14:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Dissident
that's bad news indeed

Let's just hope it doesn't escalate, otherwise there could be a real mess in the ME afterwards. As I understand it, Jordan is in a pretty shaky position at the moment. The last thing we need are revolts and revolutions throughout the region.

Static Universe · March 21, 2003, 16:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Willem
And this one too:

Protest turns ugly

Jeez, these are mostly America's allies, too. Does not bode well...

Shi Huangdi · March 21, 2003, 16:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Willem
From CNN:

"But the United States opposes any unilateral move by Turkey into northern Iraq."

Sorry George W., you set the example, you can't complain about others following in your footsteps.

Full article

I am sure we have ways of influencing Turkey not to make any moves into Iraq.

Ozz · March 21, 2003, 17:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
I am sure we have ways of influencing Turkey not to make any moves into Iraq.

Bribery does'nt seem to work

Willem · March 21, 2003, 17:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi

I am sure we have ways of influencing Turkey not to make any moves into Iraq.

Well I guess they aren't listening very well. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just announced that Turkey will be entering N. Iraq with their troops. They have made a formal announcement.

Static Universe · March 21, 2003, 17:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Willem

Well I guess they aren't listening very well. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation just announced that Turkey will be entering N. Iraq with their troops. They have made a formal announcement.

I guess Poly won't be needing a Kurdish flag after all...

Shi Huangdi · March 21, 2003, 17:18

I guess we must have reached some sort of understanding, Turkey announced it is finally letting us use their airspace...

Willem · March 21, 2003, 17:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
I guess we must have reached some sort of understanding, Turkey announced it is finally letting us use their airspace...

The US probably agreed to sell out the Kurds once again. That'll really help them stabilize the region afterwards!

Chemical Ollie · March 21, 2003, 18:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Willem

The US probably agreed to sell out the Kurds once again. That'll really help them stabilize the region afterwards!

Swedish TV broadcasted an exclusive documentary about Iraqi Kurdistan tonight. They have about 55 000 militia soldiers split between three political parties.

If Turkeys invades, they will become very fierce partisans. And if they feel that US let them down once again, just imagine the consequences! 55 000 highly motivated terrorists!

Lonestar · March 21, 2003, 18:18

Olaf, I like your title.

GePap · March 21, 2003, 18:21

The Turks still have not clarified whether the US can start using their airspace.

The thing is, the Turks are extremely paranoid about the Kurds, and sometimes there are things so vital that even the advice and complaints of your close aalies can't stop you from acting (sound familiar). Turkeys Generals will not allow an independent Kurdish region forming, and will do everything they have to to crush it.

This is the sort of pre-existing political fault-lines I don't think this admin. has thought to much about.

Sava · March 21, 2003, 18:28

can anyone say, destabilization?

Willem · March 21, 2003, 18:29

Quote:

Originally posted by GePap
The Turks still have not clarified whether the US can start using their airspace.

The thing is, the Turks are extremely paranoid about the Kurds, and sometimes there are things so vital that even the advice and complaints of your close aalies can't stop you from acting (sound familiar). Turkeys Generals will not allow an independent Kurdish region forming, and will do everything they have to to crush it.

This is the sort of pre-existing political fault-lines I don't think this admin. has thought to much about.

There was an announcement on the CBC earlier today that said the airspace conflict had been resolved, and Turkey has given the green light. Later, about an hour ago, came an announcement that Turkey would send troops in to Iraq, against the US's wishes. I guess they're using the airspace issue as leverage to assert their control over the Kurds.

Master Zen · March 21, 2003, 18:45

US invades Iraq yet Turkey can't do the same...

ohhhh booooy....

I won't even comment on that one

chequita guevara · March 21, 2003, 18:57

We knew this was going to happen. Maybe the US will gt out of this war without hurting many Iraqis, but they've opened the door for a massacre in the North.

I expect that one of the reasons the 101st is going to Kirkuk is to secure Kurdistan.

Shi Huangdi · March 21, 2003, 19:02

"The Turks still have not clarified whether the US can start using their airspace."

Yes, the Turks have clarified it is now finally ok for the US to use their airspace.

Turkey has said it will send troops to prevent a refugee influx. That may be a legitimate reason as Turkey's economy can barely afford to handle them. But it would be greatly detrimental for the Turks if they were to pick a fight with the Kurds in Iraq, they would face fierce resistance and the fighting could then spread to Turkish Kurdistan. If they leave the Iraqi Kurds alone however, action probably won't spread to SE Turkey

chequita guevara · March 21, 2003, 19:03

The Turks now state that the US cannot use their airspace until the US agrees to let Turkey invade Iraqi Kurdistan.

Drake Tungsten · March 21, 2003, 19:06

Let's not use their airspace then. The Kurds deserve our support...

Willem · March 21, 2003, 19:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi
If they leave the Iraqi Kurds alone however, action probably won't spread to SE Turkey

Except that the Kurds have vowed they will fight the Turks if they cross the border. "Irrestistable force meets immovable object."

GePap · March 21, 2003, 19:15

Sady the "immovable object" would probably not stop a bunch of Turkish tanks....

All of Iraq's neighbors have deep interest in Iraq and how it turns out. To think that they will not try to influence evenst as afr as they can seem silly. Turkey, Syria and Iran wll do all they can to stop an independent Kurdish zone, and honestly, there is very little the US can do about it.

Damn it, every time I ook at the thread title I think of Ambassador Kosh...

Gatekeeper · March 21, 2003, 19:19

"In related developments, Iranian troops have claimed a chunk of Iraq nearest their border. Also, very surprisingly, aliens from Mars have landed in Iraq near the Jordanian border and have laid claim to that land in the name of their Godhead, Ra."

Willem · March 21, 2003, 19:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Gatekeeper
"In related developments, Iranian troops have claimed a chunk of Iraq nearest their border. Also, very surprisingly, aliens from Mars have landed in Iraq near the Jordanian border and have laid claim to that land in the name of their Godhead, Ra."

I'm pleased to see you're taking this development so seriously, I hope it doesn't come back to haunt you. I suspect it will.

MichaeltheGreat · March 21, 2003, 19:39

I don't think he wasn't taking it seriously.

The fact that everyone and their brother will want to pick at the bones is no surprise. I never had a problem with the war, per se, that was always going to be as close to a cakewalk as a shooting war can get.

The problem is the big, long, ugly mess afterwards.

Gatekeeper · March 21, 2003, 19:48

No, I wasn't taking the war seriously for a moment, Willem. You wanna be all gloom and doom, be my guest. I choose to be that way only 75 percent of the time.

Gatekeeper

Dominikos · March 21, 2003, 19:56

Either way, the Kurds will only lose. There are much bigger forces at work and Kurdistan is not a priority. The formation of a Kurdish state would only destabilize the region.

As I understand the US leads a double policy in the Northern Region (Northern Iraq, Southern Turkey). The United States supplied arms to the Kurds to fight Saddam while also supporting Turkish action against the Kurds in Turkey.

Well, it remains to be seen.

A Turkish-Kurdish-American scuffle perhaps?

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~Dominik - Lord of the Putumayo~

Dominikos · March 21, 2003, 19:58

ATTENTION

I HAVE JUST HEARD ON CNN THAT TURKISH TROOPS HAVE CROSSED INTO IRAQ AGAINT AMERICAN WISHES.

Can anyone confirm?

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~Dominik - Lord of the Putumayo~