Turkey Threatens Repercussions for U.S.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey, which is a key supply route to U.S. troops in Iraq, recalled its ambassador to Washington on Thursday and warned of serious repercussions if Congress labels the killing of Armenians by Turks a century ago as genocide.
Ordered after a House committee endorsed the genocide measure, the summons of the ambassador for consultations was a further sign of the deteriorating relations between two longtime allies and the potential for new turmoil in an already troubled region.
Egeman Bagis, an aide to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, told Turkish media that Turkey - a conduit for many of the supplies shipped to American bases in both Iraq and Afghanistan - might have to “cut logistical support to the U.S.”
Analysts also have speculated the resolution could make Turkey more inclined to send troops into northern Iraq to hunt Turkish Kurd rebels, a move opposed by the U.S. because it would disrupt one of the few relatively stable and peaceful Iraqi areas.
OK, so maybe it WAS an act of genocide, it happened 100 years ago and no one that was involved is alive today, what is the relevance of this in todays world and todays politics??
I had an ancestor that was a Nazi Admiral during WWII but that doesn’t mean I should be labeled a Nazi, I had other ancestors that fought in the War Against Northern Aggression but that doesn’t mean I need to be labeled a Yankee or a Reb, yeah, I had em on BOTH sides…
The measure before Congress is just a nonbinding resolution without the force of law, but the debate has incensed Turkey’s government.
And I don’t blame the Turks for getting their scimitars all steamed up, this would be like saying that ALL Americans are indirectly responsible for the slavery that was in this nation until 140 or so odd years ago, Americans today aren’t responsible for those acts and should never be held libel for slave reparations, well, the same is only fair for the Turks, as I said, no one is still alive from 100 years ago that participated in this, let it go, this was done in another place and time and it’s damn sure not worth losing a valuable ally over, we seem to be coming up pretty short on allies as it is…
The Bush administration, which is lobbying strongly in hopes of persuading Congress to reject the resolution, stressed the need for good relations with Turkey.
And here is one of those cases where I have to applaud the administration, it appears that they know the value of a strong ally like Turkey, I will certainly give credit where credit is due…
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Turkey Threatens Repercussions for U.S.
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October 12th, 2007 at 10:28 am
The thing is, Turkey is only our friend so long as we play their PC game. The same people saying we need to suck up to Turkey are ironically the ones who want us to stop sucking up to China.
You’ve got two ideologies that are not able to mesh with us… yet somehow when that meshing is forced, we get the raw deal in the long run.
The resolution doesn’t say they are currently responsible for it, it recognizes a historical act as what it was. The only people who would deny it are the islamofascists who think it’s not genocide to kill everyone who doesn’t agree with you- because they’re subhuman until they do.
Sadly, though they’ve been helping us, it’s still true that they will only help us so long as we have the upper hand. If they are ever convinced we are slipping in power or popularity, they will stab us in the back, like any other supposed allies in the middle east. Cutting supply in response to this is just a convenient excuse for something that’s bound to happen sooner or later.
October 12th, 2007 at 10:34 am
We NEED that strategical positioning that Turkey gives us, that is why we either keep em happy or lose an advantage that ONLY Turkey can offer…
If you lose Incirlik AFB over some hurt feelings what are you gonna do?? Fly the spook missions out of Diego Garcia only??
October 12th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Turkey has been a good ally to the US. Even during the Cold War when Turkey bordered the Soviet Union they remained a good ally to the US and NATO. Like any nation, they’re going to do things to their advantage. I’ve been to Incirlik AB and the Turks treated us well.
Why this congress had to condemn something that happened almost 100 years ago by a government no longer in existence is beyond me. But, Nancy Pelosi said the Armenians in California wanted it done.
The way the Turks are taking it can be looked at this way. If Great Britain condemned the United States for its slavery of 150 years ago, how would we feel about it? I for one would be highly pissed.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I know… it really is a sucky position to be in over an islamist temper tantrum… Let me draw your attention to the following strategic map:
http://www.passionateamerica.com/friday-fun-the-wold-according-to-americans-picture/
:-)
I’m trying to figure out where exactly Turkey would fit… LOL
October 12th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
A lot to be said for that map, but never link to that site here, I will delete it, not a threat, just the way it rolls… I know you don’t mean any harm, but this is a personal thing between Bill and several of us that were slammed on his blog, he was delinked by several of us… Thanks…
October 12th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
BobF, as usual, right on the money…
October 12th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
okiedokie on the linking… don’t know what went down, but I’ll stay out of it.
Oh Pelosi’s behind this? *gag* screw it then. There’s ALWAYS a (not so) hidden motive to screw things up with her. It’s usually a safe bet to try to do the exact opposite of whatever she says.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Exactly… Now you see ‘the rest of the story’…
October 12th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Here’s something interesting on Pelosi’s stupidity concerning this issue.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/09/AR2007100902347.html?hpid=topnews
Notice how all 8 living former Secretary of States signed a letter to Pelosi not to do this as it will endanger national security. This includes even Clinton’s Secretaries of State. This only goes to show that she doesn’t have a clue concerning foreign policy or relations.
October 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
So WHY might this be an issue now, we ask? Something, ANYTHING to throw a monkey wrench into any of the Bush Admin plans? Why, that would be YES. It means nothing to us now; nothing. So who profits?
Who profits?
BZ
October 13th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Dredging up the past to harm the administration?? Hmmm, lemme think, lemme think…
I don’t know, could it be SATAN?? Uh, wait, that’s just Pelosi…