US welcomes Turkey’s proposal decision
"This [action plan] will involve all the elements of state power: law enforcement, security, finance and directed with both of us taking all the steps that we can," said Richard Boucher, State Department spokesman.
He welcomed Monday’s decision by the Turkish cabinet to send troops and Turkey’s efforts at the "reintegration of former terrorists into society". Asked if the plan involved joint military operations, he reiterated that "all the elements of state power" would be used.
The announcement from Ankara came despite growing scepticism in New York at prospects for a new United Nations resolution on Iraq, after the US last week presented a new draft text in response to calls for a greater UN role, and a quick handover of authority to Iraqis.
Several Security Council members said the resolution did not go far enough, and Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general, said its calls for a partial UN role in preparing an Iraqi constitution and elections were unworkable.
Iraq’s Governing Council, installed by the US in Baghdad, told Turkey at the UN last month that it did not want Turkish troops in Iraq. But the US, anxious to share the burden of occupation, is prepared to overcome Iraqi resistance.
The US, diplomats say, appears to be putting more emphasis on cutting individual deals with possible partners in Iraq, such as Turkey and Russia, rather than gaining support through making significant concessions at the United Nations.
