Airspace Disagreement Delays U.S. Flights

21/03/2003| IslamWeb

Turkey on Friday delayed opening its airspace to U.S. warplanes for strikes against Iraq despite parliamentary approval for the overflights, diplomats and military officials said. U.S. and Turkish officials held talks through the night, but failed to reach an agreement on conditions for the overflights, western diplomats said. Yasar Yakis, a lawmaker in the governing party and the former foreign minister, confirmed that no agreement had been reached but said the two sides would continue talks.

Turkey's parliament voted Thursday to allow the United States to use its airspace, a measure that would allow attack jets on aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean to fly more directly into Iraq. The United States could also use Turkish airspace to ferry troops into northern Iraq.

After parliament's approval, the United States still needs the Turkish government's go-ahead before flying over Turkey.

The resolution passed by parliament would also allow Turkey to move its own forces into northern Iraq.

The United States opposes any unilateral move by Turkey into northern Iraq. Washington has warned that a Turkish incursion could lead to friendly fire incidents with U.S. forces. Iraqi Kurdish groups say the move could lead to clashes.

Turkish newspapers reported Friday that Turkish insistence on sending its troops into northern Iraq has prevented an agreement on the use of Turkish airspace.

According to CNN-Turk television, negotiations are also locked over Turkish demands that the U.S. military provide information on the type of planes, their mission, and their destination ahead of the overflights. The United States wants to be able to use the airspace without prior notification.

The United States hopes to see the agreement "implemented in the most immediate fashion," said a western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson held talks until 4:00 a.m with top foreign ministry officials, but the talks failed to deliver a breakthrough, the western diplomat added.

The measure would not allow U.S. warplanes to use Turkish air bases or refuel in Turkey.

Thursday's vote granting overflight rights follows intense lobbying by the United States, but falls far short of Washington's original request to send 62,000 soldiers to Turkey to open up a northern front against Iraq.

Polls show up to 94 percent of Turks oppose the war, making the government reluctant to cooperate with the United States.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher had welcomed the vote granting airspace rights, but said the United States remained "opposed to unilateral action by Turkey or by any party in northern Iraq."

When asked when airspace would be opened, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday: "We will inform you about this later."

Parliament earlier this month failed to pass a resolution that would have let in U.S. ground troops for an Iraq invasion.

The United States had offered Turkey a package of 15 billion dlrs in loans and grants if it lets in U.S. troops for a ground war. But the United States withdrew the aid package as war drew closer and it became clear that even if Turkey voted in favor, the U.S. army would not have time to bring in the army units.

PHOTO CAPTION

Turkish lawmakers are seen at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday March 20, 2003. Turkey's parliament voted to allow the U.S. military to use Turkish airspace for a war in Iraq , a decision that took on added urgency now that U.S. bombers have begun striking Iraq. The government-backed proposal passed by a vote of 332 to 202 with one abstention. The proposal will allow U.S. warplanes based in Europe or the United States to cross Turkey to strike Iraq. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)