WASHINGTON — Turkey's proposed participation in a United Nations
peacekeeping force in Lebanon could revive defense relations with the United
States.
U.S. and Turkish officials said the Pentagon and Turkey's Defense
Ministry have been discussing a major Turkish military presence along the
Israeli-Lebanese border. They said the Bush administration has asked Ankara
to contribute at least 5,000 troops to ensure border security and help
Lebanese Army deployment. Under the proposal, Turkey would comprise the
largest element of the planned 15,000-member force.
"Our experience in working with Turkey on these issues has been a good
one and we have great confidence in the ability of the Turkish military,"
Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said on Aug. 15. "That said, it's a
subject for Turkey to decide as it looks at this situation."
Officials said Israel has also supported Turkish participation in an
expanded UN force, which in the first stage would reach 3,500. Turkey and
Israel have been regarded as military allies, although tension has increased
since the pro-Islamic government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan was voted
into power in 2002.
The Erdogan government has agreed to the U.S. request but has not
determined the size of its force. Officials said Ankara has linked its
commitment to a UN force to a U.S. timetable for the elimination of the
Kurdish Workers Party presence in northern Iraq.
"We had talks with the [Lebanese] parliament speaker regarding Turkey's
participation in a multi-national force," Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
said. "We have not made a decision yet."
On Aug. 15, the State Department called on the PKK to end its campaign
against Turkey. The department said the PKK has been responsible for the
death of more than 30,000 Turkish security forces and civilians since 1984.
"There is a quid pro quo in the PKK and Lebanon issue," an official
said.
Both Ankara and Washington have embarked on efforts to improve military
relations, damaged in 2003 when Turkey's parliament rejected a proposal for
U.S. troop entry on the eve of the war with Iraq. The Pentagon has
repeatedly blamed Turkey for the failure of a northern front that would have
rapidly destroyed the Saddam Hussein regime.
Still, officials warn that Turkey's participation in a UN force was not
ensured. They said Ankara was concerned that its troops could be targeted by
Hizbullah, armed with anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles as well as a
range of surface-to-surface rockets.
"Turkey must stay away from religious and ethnic wars," Turkish
opposition leader Deniz Baykal said. "Hizbullah says that they will not lay
down weapons. Are the UN troops going to fight against armed groups in
Lebanon?"