Turkish leaders on Tuesday began discussing a U.S. request to send thousands
of peacekeepers to Iraq, where Ankara would like to see its influence
increase.
Turkey, which snubbed a U.S. request in March to host American troops
intending to open a northern front in the war against neighboring Iraq, seems
determined not to create a new crisis with the United States.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who reportedly had reservations against sending
troops without a U.N. resolution, chaired the meeting of government and military
leaders. But a statement issued at its conclusion did not mention a U.N.
resolution.
The statement made no firm commitment on sending troops, despite apparent
endorsement from the military and government. It said parliament would decide.
"The scope, nature and framework of Turkey's possible contribution" will be
determined "according to Turkey's national interests," presidential spokesman
Sermet Atacanli said, reading from the statement.
The meeting was the first in a series of high-level debates about the matter.
Although parliament is in summer recess until October, it can be called into
session earlier.
"The issue is not whether to send soldiers or not," Deputy Premier Abdullatif
Sener told private CNN-Turk television Monday. "The issue is how the Turkish
troops will go, what will be their status, where they will be deployed."
The government, which has a comfortable majority in parliament, might see the
peacekeeping mission as an opportunity to mend ties with Washington, the
country's biggest lobbyist at the International Monetary Fund and the European
Union.
However, many Turks oppose sending peacekeepers to Iraq, fearing
casualties. There were small protests Tuesday in Ankara and Istanbul against a
deployment.
Ankara realizes that a mission could help prevent Kurds in northern Iraq from
declaring an independent state. Ankara fears that would encourage Turkey's own
Kurdish rebels, who fought a 15-year war for autonomy in southeast Turkey.
"If there is instability next door, we can't keep our eyes closed," Gen.
Yasar Buyukanit, the deputy chief of general staff, said Sunday.
With American military manpower stretched thin, the United States is looking
to a number of countries to send troops to Iraq and relieve some of its burden.
Washington has requested troops from India, Pakistan, Germany and others.
Turkey has several thousand soldiers in northern Iraq to chase the Turkish
Kurdish fighters. Those troops fall outside the scope of the U.S.-led mission.
