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U.S., Turkey, Israel launch air exercises

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Tuesday, June 19, 2001

ANKARA Ñ Israel, Turkey and the United States have launched an air exercise in southeastern Turkey amid reports that new weapons will be tested in the Konya desert.

The exercise began over the weekend and includes F-4, F-15 and F-16 warplanes. It is the first time all three countries are participating in a joint exercise in Turkey.

Turkish sources said the first maneuvers began on Monday. The United States has brought F-16s from its base at Incerlik in southern Turkey. Israel has contributed 10 F-15 and F-16s to the exercise, named Anatolian Eagle.

The exercise will end on June 29 and focus on the interoperablity of the three air forces. The exercise has sparked allegations from Islamic opposition figures that Israel and the United States are planning to test new weapons during the week-long maneuvers. These include charges that the weapons contain uranium that endangers the environment.

The allegations are being taken seriously by Turkey's military. The General Staff said the three countries are conducting what a military statement termed was a standard air exercise. Military sources said this would include air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements with the use of missiles.

"There will be no testing of the weapons newly developed by Israel and the United States, or bombs containing uranium or low flights at a height of 100 meters," the statement said. "These people are creating worries among the public by the lies they make up."

In the United States, Israeli and Turkish officers are observing an annual military exercise. Britain, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States have contributed 15,000 troops in the 10-day exercise dubbed Roving Sands.

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