Thursday, March 6, 2003
World Tribune.com--U.S. abandons Turkey as northern front
The Bush administration has abandoned the hope that Turkey will serve as a major front in the planned U.S.-led war against Iraq.
Officials said the Defense Department has ordered U.S. Central Command to begin preparations to execute a contingency plan for a one-front war against Iraq. That front would be Kuwait and Central Command has been informed to prepare for the arrival of at least two additional divisions meant for deployment in Turkey.
"The Pentagon has written off Turkey as a second front," an official said. "There is the prospect that U.S. special forces could eventually enter Iraq from Turkish territory. But this will not comprise the second front that we had been planning."
Could well prove to be a blessing in disguise, especially Re. the Kurdish issue
Could very well be. OTOH, who knows what they'll do now that they'll be on their own and American troops won't be deployed and in their way...That has to also give a bit of pause...