Military Options

The US has suggested the western Baghdad region for deployment, but the Turkish side favors the region north of the capital. Ankara and Washington ended their negotiations before reaching a consensus, to be continued later. Now the General Staff and the Foreign Ministry are working on their options. The General Staff would prefer that its troops go to the north of Baghdad. However, if Washington insists on the western area, Ankara might suggest serving in both regions. If the US accepts this suggestion it might happen, but if so this would also mean more of our soldiers being deployed; that is, the area of duty will determine the number of soldiers.

Ankara is planning to send a brigade of 4,000-4,500 soldiers, excepting those serving in the division. The division headquarters will be set up so as to command two other brigades besides the Turkish one. One of these might be Pakistani. Under these circumstances, Ankara has developed the following options:

1. If Pakistan and another country contribute a brigade, the command of one Turkish and the two foreign brigades would fall to the Turkish Division Command.

2. If only Pakistan sends a brigade, then not one, but two Turkish brigades would be deployed.

3. If Pakistan is out, three Turkish brigades could be sent.

Under these options, the command HQ would be the Turkish Division Command, and the number of Turkish soldiers would be determined according to the region of duty designated by Ankara and Washington.”