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http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/for.htm#f8 Turkish Daily News October 11, 2002 NATO commander says Iraq's integrity will be protected -Support by NATO-member Turkey would be crucial in any operation against Saddam. The country was a staging point for U.S. strikes on Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. U.S. jets, deployed in a southern Turkish base, have been patrolling a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.... -Turkey demands a say in the deployment of any EU force in its "sphere of influence", which includes the Balkans and the Aegean Sea, in return for Ankara's approval to let the EU use NATO planning facilities. EU-member Greece objects to a proposal giving Turkey rights to veto any EU military deployment in its region. -The United States is urging the European Union to open up to the Turks, anxious not to alienate a NATO member seen as a key Muslim ally in the war on terrorism. NATO's top commander said Wednesday that the United States respected Iraq's territorial integrity, allaying Turkey's fears over a possible independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq after a seemingly imminent U.S. operation on Iraq. Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, the U.S. Air Force general commanding NATO forces in Europe, was speaking in Istanbul at a conference on the NATO alliance's ties with former foe Russia. "It is U.S. government policy that we respect the territorial integrity of Iraq and we very much understand the sensitivities of Turkey," Ralston said. Last week, two rival Iraqi Kurdish factions reconvened their assembly for the first time in six years in a clear show of unity before a possible military action in Iraq, alarming Turkey. Support by NATO-member Turkey would be crucial in any operation against Saddam. The country was a staging point for U.S. strikes on Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War. U.S. jets, deployed in a southern Turkish base, have been patrolling a no-fly zone over northern Iraq to protect Iraqi Kurds from the forces of Baghdad. The general also praised Turkey's efforts to resolve a disagreement between NATO member Turkey and the European Union, saying Turkey has done enough sacrifice for a resolution. "Now the problem is back with the EU and the EU needs to work at it," Ralston said. He said he was "disappointed" by a lack of progress in negotiations that would allow the union to take command of a 800-strong peacekeeping operation in Macedonia. The force is almost entirely made up of European troops but remains under NATO command. A dispute between Greece and Turkey has blocked a handover to the EU. Turkey demands a say in the deployment of any EU force in its "sphere of influence", which includes the Balkans and the Aegean Sea, in return for Ankara's approval to let the EU use NATO planning facilities. EU-member Greece objects to a proposal giving Turkey rights to veto any EU military deployment in its region. Ralston's visit to Istanbul also coincided with the release of a progress report by the European Commission on Turkey's performance to meet membership criteria. The report came as a cold shower for Turkey as it declined to suggest a date for the beginning of accession talks, despite U.S. pressure. The United States is urging the European Union to open up to the Turks, anxious not to alienate a NATO member seen as a key Muslim ally in the war on terrorism. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
