The recent strain on U.S.-Turkey relations due to the House Foreign Affairs Committee's approval of the Armenian genocide resolution Wednesday is causing a whole new set of problems for the United States in Iraq. Turkey recalled their ambassador and warned of consequences for the United States if the resolution is passed:
Turkey, which is a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington on Thursday and warned of serious repercussions if Congress labels the killing of Armenians by Turks a century ago as genocide.
Turkey has warned the genocide bill could jeopardize the United States' ability to use their country as a staging area for Iraq-bound supplies. Approximately 70 percent of U.S. air cargo and 30 percent of fuel used by the U.S. military is sent through Turkey.
While this alone would be a terrible blow to U.S. efforts in the region, it isn't the end of shaky relations with Turkey – relations that will only become more complicated in the coming months. This week, Turkey deployed troops along their border with Iraq in response to attacks on Turkish civilians by Kurdish rebels. Today, there are reports that Turkey plans to invade Iraq in November and stay for the long run:
ANKARA — Turkey has placed its military on the highest state of alert in preparation for a major invasion of neighboring Iraq that could take place by the end of November.
Officials said the Turkish military has deployed tens of thousands of troops, backed by attack helicopters, main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, in forward positions along the Iraqi border. They said the Turkish force could cross the Iraqi border and attack the Kurdish Workers Party within hours of any order.
"There is a very tense situation along the Iraqi border, and the military is waiting for the green light," an official said.
It is imperative that the House looks at the full consequences that passing the bill could have on American soldiers and interests overseas. Turkey has been one of the United States' strongest allies in the Middle East, and passing the resolution would be detrimental to U.S. efforts in the region. The issue is obviously a complicated one, but it is important that the House carefully examines the situation and does what is in the best interest of the United States. Right now, it looks like defeating the resolution might be the best course of action.
Friday, October 12, 2007
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Of what benefit is it to the USA to declar the alledged killings of Armenians in Turkey a gencide?
How does the USA benefit from this? By what right does the USA have to take this moral high ground, when the native peoples of N. America were so viciously abused, exploited and slaughtered?
This was a time in Ottoman history of civil strife where Turks as well as others lost their lives. I am sure historians will agree.
Perhaps the Turkish Parliament ought to declare the USA's masacres of native peoples in N. America a genocide, because surely that's what it was.
Even more shameful still, it became fodder for American entertainment in Hollywood cowboy films!
In this unstable part of the world, it's most unfortunate that the USA doesn't recognize what a true friend it has in Turkey.
Besides taking flack from its neighbors for supporting the USA in Iraq, the Turkish economy has suffered tremendously for this loyalty. How many times was the Lira devaluated in the 90's decade?
To the USA's ultimate shame, it has never lived up to promises of supporting the Turkish economy when trade and oil pipelines were closed. Then the USA shows offense when use of airfields are denied them. There is no benefit to Turkey in being a friend to America.
The the training and arming of Kurds in N. Iraq by USA troops was reckless enough, but leaving behind a treasure trove of weapons for PKK terrorists to burn out villages and kill innocent villagers in S.E. Turkey was tantamount to cold blooded murder in itself.
I think the USA had better clean up it's own house before publically stating that something stinks in Turkey.
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