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Turkish troops in Lebanon could improve U.S. ties

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, August 18, 2006

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?"


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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