The United States has warned Americans traveling through Turkey that Iraq or
terrorists could strike Turkish air bases or airports in the
southern part of the country.
U.S. forces would be using facilities in southern Turkey in any military campaign against the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein.
"The U.S. government has received unconfirmed and fragmentary
information that suggests unknown terrorists may be planning to conduct a
terrorist incident in southeast Turkey against official U.S. government
facilities or personnel," the State Department said.
Officials said about 5,000 U.S. Defense Department personnel and family
members are stationed in Turkey. They include about 2,200 service members.
A U.S. Air Force team is scheduled to arrive later this week to inspect
Turkish air force bases. The U.S. team is expected to determine the
feasibility of deploying U.S. troops and aircraft at the bases and the cost
of upgrading the facilities.
The warning came on the eve of a visit by a U.S. military delegation to
Turkey. The delegation is expected to tour Turkish air force bases.
The State Department has issued an alert for U.S. nationals to stay away
from at least one airport in southern Turkey. The department said Washington
has received intelligence reports of plans to attack facilities used by the
U.S. government in southeastern Turkey.
The warning said the most likely target could be the Gaziantep airport.
The airport in Gaziantep is being used for civilian flights while the runway
at the airport in Adana is under repair. The Adana airport is expected to
reopen on Jan. 1.
The State Department alert did not mention the Incerlik air force base,
located near Gaziantep. Incerlik is used by Britain and the United States
for Operation Northern Watch, which monitors the northern no-fly zone in
Iraq.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said he could not elaborate
on the U.S. alert in Turkey. Boucher said he did not want to disclose
details that could expose sources.
"I can't elaborate on that," Boucher said. "I'm afraid that we have
provided the best information we can, but to go any farther would get into
the sources and methods of how we acquire information."
