A MUTUAL WAITING GAME

This reply’s most notable feature is its request that Ankara make a political decision. Before stating to Ankara its requests and conditions concerning the issue, Washington wants to see our Parliament’s decision. In other words, Washington is waiting for Ankara to ‘accept a proposal to send Turkish soldiers to Iraq.’ Of course Washington’s approach has been influenced by what happened this March during the debate over letting US troops deploy in Turkey for the Iraq war.

Meanwhile, Ankara is waiting for appropriate conditions to be set both at home and in Iraq for sending soldiers as well as a statement on the current and past situation and the US’ future plans in northern Iraq. For example, Ankara is expecting Washington to explain what happened in Kirkuk. We hope Washington and the US administration in Iraq will give a satisfactory explanation about the issue before the National Security Council (NSC) meeting set for the end of September.

Meanwhile, gauging the views of Iraq’s tribal leaders about Turkish soldiers is another factor behind Ankara’s hesitance. Ankara thinks it can send its soldiers to Iraq only if they are accepted by the Iraqi people as being in no way invaders. Towards this end, Ankara is currently busy making contacts and gathering information.

All these issues are important in terms of laying the groundwork. Ankara’s expectations should be met so Parliament and the public can both accept the proposal. For this reason, Washington should reply to Ankara’s expectations during this waiting period in order to facilitate our taking the next step. This is Ankara’s message.”