US explores alternative airbase after row with Turkey

[TexasLawyer]

Source: The Herald/ UK

US explores alternative airbase after row with Turkey
IAN BRUCE, Defence Correspondent

October 15 2007

The Pentagon is looking for emergency alternatives to its key Incirlik airbase in Turkey in case a diplomatic row with Ankara cuts off 70% of its airborne supplies to US forces in Iraq.

The possible loss of Turkish facilities follows US congressional criticism over alleged "genocide" against Armenian civilians by Ottoman Turkish forces during the First World War.

The dispute now threatens to turn into an international logistics and intelligence-gathering crisis if Ankara decides to impose sanctions over the use of its military facilities in retaliation.
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The Turkish authorities allow the US to use the giant Incirlik base as a main supply hub for Iraq. Unmanned aerial drone spy missions over Iraq and Iran are flown from there. They also allow overflights of Turkish territory by US transport aircraft, allowing them to reduce the risk of being shot down by insurgents inside Iraq's troubled northern provinces.

Read more: http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1759142.0.0.php

[lovuian]

1. Its definitely caused a snag in US & Turkey relations

thats for sure

[Eurobabe]

11. I doubt whether this is solely about HR106

are we all that naive? we don't know what goes on behind the scenes with Darth & Co.

:eyes:

[Amonester]

2. Darth will take care of it ...

I sense a few "threats" comin' out of his filthy mouth soon.

[bonito]

3. Maybe we can by one at wallmart

You know made in china, stupid ass sellouts.

[billyoc]

4. It's a real problem, all of the other suitable locations are already prisons.

Location, location, location! :eyes:

[wuushew]

5. Sweet, this good development

If Turkey can force us out of Iraq before 2013 I am all for it.


Yankee needs to go home.

[dickbearton]

9. Exactly, Yankee should never have gone there...

Bush's invasion and occupation is a war crime. The Criminals,
Bush and Chaney, should be brought before a Nuremberg Trial
and hung for treason and war crimes.

[rodeodance]

16. agree. I hope Turkey kicks us out

[TexasLawyer]

6. US to Turkey-- Take away Incirlik, expect instability

Monday, October 15, 2007 07:23

US envoy to Ankara: Turkey needs to make careful calculations on Incirlik

The US Ambassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson, has replied to statements from a top level AKP foreign affairs consultant, Egemen Bagis, regarding Ankara's plans to cut logistic support to the US endeavors in Iraq if the US Congress passes the Armenian genocide bill. In regards to the US use of Turkey's Incirlik Air Force base for logistical efforts throughout Iraq, Wilson noted yesterday that Turkey needed to plan carefully on its next moves.

Responding to questions on CNN Turk, Wilson noted "We are worried that our relations could be damaged. Of course, the Turkish administration will make its own calculations. But these calculations better be good. The logistical support coming out of Incirlik for our troops in Iraq, and even for non-military Iraqis, is very important. But here is what I think: If the stability and land unity of Iraq weren't important also for Turkey, it wouldn't have offered its support in the first place."

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/7449900.asp?gid=74&sz=58012

[dickbearton]

8. What a joke: "expect instability"...

The traitor, war criminal Bush has caused total chaos. 

[Adsos Letter]

10. "But these calculations better be good."....

or what? :shrug:

[mikeytherat]

14. Ah, yes. The very same Turkey that nickel-and-dimed us pre-invasion.

The very same Turkey that would not allow us to use their airspace to launch a simultaneous attack from the north, leaving us to push through the desert. The very same Turkey that stood it's ground for U.S. fighter aircraft and parts, and eventually got them. Oh, yeah, I think they are REALLY concerned about the "consequences."

And here's a clue for Ambassador Wilson - Turkey DIDN'T offer it's support in the "first place." They didn't offer it in the second or third place, either. Stability and land unity in Iraq aren't really issues for Turkey - the Kurdish situation is.

mikey_the_rat

[EVDebs]

7. Israel probably. nt

[silverlil]

12. Absolutely!

It is about time we utilized the trouble maker in the middle east. And Israel is the trouble maker. And the entire world knows it, but we have this lobby here in the US that is far too powerful for its own good, and it is going to be America's downfall, unless our country wakes up to the fact that Israel is NOT part of the USA, we are going to suffer politically around the planet for a very long time. And what has Israel done for America? End of rant.

[atreides1]

13. Please

The US has used Israel as a crutch, just as much as Israel has used the US, it's a symbiotic relationship, like Spiderman's black costume.

Of course the same can be said about the US relationship with Saudi Arabia.

[0007]

15. Nothing seriously to worry about, just a little snag on the way to

controlling the planet and building solid hatred.

[DrDan]

17. well - I seriously doubt Turkey will jeopardize their current billions

in aid - financial aid that they "demand" in loan guarantees and direct grants.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CEEDB173DF93AA25751C0A9659C8B63

Their threats are just bluster.

on edit

either bluster or a precursor to higher demands.

[Javaman]

18. Is Turkey part of the EU?

I'm thinking this whole thing has something to do with their getting in. One would think if they admit their failures that would work in a positive way, but this now the moron* century were pride comes first and stupidity rules.

And then again if they admit the truth, then I'm sure the Armenians would have something to say about that. They seem to be really quiet about all of this. Or perhaps they are just being shouted down by the turks.

don't know. :shrug:

[Supersedeas]

19. risk of insurgents shooting down supply shipments--where's all that McConnell progress we keep

hearing about?