U.S. military decides Turkey no longer reliable ally

[Pytheus]

U.S. military decides Turkey no longer reliable ally

The U.S. military is quietly preparing to withdraw its forces from Turkey.

Government sources said the military and Defense Department have concluded that Turkey is no longer a reliable military ally. The sources said that by 2008 the United States would have no more than a token military presence in Turkey.

"For two years, the Pentagon waited for a turnaround in Turkey," a source said. "That hasn't happened and the Pentagon will be looking elsewhere for basing and deployment."

The Bush administration was deeply disappointed by Ankara's refusal to host U.S. troops in 2003 as part of plans to form a northern front against the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. Last year, despite numerous pledges, Ankara blocked another U.S. effort to expand its military presence and use of Turkish military installations.

As a result, the Pentagon has been changing its deployment in Turkey and ended incentives for U.S. soldiers to be based in that country, which is also a member of NATO. The Pentagon has also terminated Turkey's certification as an area in direct support of the U.S. military operation in Iraq.

On Dec. 31, the Pentagon ended most incentives for U.S. soldiers to be based in Turkey, an area deemed as high risk amid rising anti-American sentiment during the war in Iraq. The Pentagon ended the exemption of U.S. soldiers from federal taxes in an arrangement known as combat zone tax exclusion.

U.S. soldiers in Turkey began receiving this benefit in January 2003 in anticipation of the war in Iraq. But in a review in late 2005, U.S. European Command determined that Turkey no longer fulfilled combat zone requirements.

Officials said the U.S. military will continue to retain a token presence in Turkey, particularly in the air force base at Incirlik. Those serving in Turkey would obtain the imminent danger pay benefit, which amounts to another $225 a month.

The Pentagon envisions a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq, particularly in the autonomous Kurdish zone in the north. The United States has built several military bases and airports in the north, which could serve as a launching pad for reconnaissance or attack missions against neighboring Iran.

http://www.insightmag.com/Media/MediaManager/turkey_0.htm

Some can say that this is exactly what Turks were demanding...

Seems that the strategical priorities of Turkey and USA are a bit different these days.. aren't they?
Turkey simply does not want to help fight the muslim terrorists. "Turks are not WITH us". :)

[Speaker of the House]

that to bad, because those turkish girls right around Incirlik and the european hotties who hang out in down at the Med made orders to turkey not such a bad place...but on the other hand....the food sucked. We should never have perma-bases anywhere that doesnt sale bacon on the local market.

[Kontra1]

that to bad, because those turkish girls right around Incirlik and the european hotties who hang out in down at the Med made orders to turkey not such a bad place...but on the other hand....the food sucked. We should never have perma-bases anywhere that doesnt sale bacon on the local market.


Haha..don't pay any attention to him....why? Would telling you that he's greek help any? ;)

We all know greeks are the worst anti American society in Europe and they were the only ones expressed happines and satisfaction when US was hit on 9/11

Also..you shoud never eat in the "rip-off alley".Food and everything else in town is much better. ;)

[achilles]

We all know greeks are the worst anti American society in Europe and they were the only ones expressed happines and satisfaction when US was hit on 9/11

Dont tell me you are back on your bull****ting mode. The above comment is not only a moronic exaggeration but clearly displays the empathy that we are supposed to be fighting against here lately.

Back up your claim or retract your comment.

[NewsMan]

Goodbye Incirlik, hello Arbil....

[Kontra1]

Dont tell me you are back on your bull****ting mode. The above comment is not only a moronic exaggeration but clearly displays the empathy that we are supposed to be fighting against here lately.

Oh no...I'm still good with our deal,but if you're concerned so much about it you should first direct that question to your greek friend, cuz we both know, the reason we're in disagreement with the US is not what your little friend tries to implement with his posts lately ;)


Back up your claim or retract your comment.

No problem...for your and the others information;

The Greek approach to tragedy

Helena Smith in Athens explores why the Greeks seem to have little sympathy for post-attack America

http://www.guardian.co.uk/elsewhere/journalist/story/0,7792,558033,00.html


Don't tell me it's only a hand full of radicals, cuz seems like we can't use the same argument when our radicals behiave the same ;)

Also...read the whole article to see it's not "just an isolated feeling among bunch of radicals"

Strange Bedfellows: The Anti-American Alliance of Communists and Christians in Greece

-By Takis Michas

http://www.greekworks.com/content/index.php/weblog/extended/strange_bedfellows_the_anti_american_alliance_of_communists_and_christians_/


Twenty members of the Council of State (Greece’s supreme administrative court) have issued a statement deploring the international crimes against Yugoslavia, which inaugurate a «period of lawlessness» and bring us back to the «eras of the Holy Alliance and the Axis»

JUDGES’ BOMBSHELL
«VERDICT» AGAINST NATO

NATO was found guilty of an unprecedented and barbaric attack against Yugoslavia in a statement signed by 20 high-ranking judges of the Greek Council of State, headed by its most senior vice-president Michalis Dekleris.

http://members.tripod.com/~sarant_2/ks20sumbep.html

[Kontra1]

Goodbye Incirlik, hello Arbil....

Sounds perfect...I'm sure the Russians will be eager to train us for the S-300s we might eventually buy from them on the same base ;)

[U-S-S-R]

Some can say that this is exactly what Turks were demanding...

Seems that the strategical priorities of Turkey and USA are a bit different these days.. aren't they?
Turkey simply does not want to help fight the muslim terrorists. "Turks are not WITH us". :)

Glad to see you back. ;)

Obviously turksish EU-entry is not gonna happen in 15 years with the US letting them go as allies. Good riddance.

[Pytheus]

Haha..don't pay any attention to him....why? Would telling you that he's greek help any? ;)

We all know greeks are the worst anti American society in Europe and they were the only ones expressed happines and satisfaction when US was hit on 9/11

Also..you shoud never eat in the "rip-off alley".Food and everything else in town is much better. ;)

The greeks are anti-americans because USA WERE doing all the favours their muslim bitch -turkey- was asking them.

Still, Greece NEVER denied Allied help to the Americans, because we simply consider them part of the family.

Well, it seems times change... p-)

[Rictor]

I really can't see the Turks being too upset about Americans packing up and leaving. Hosting US bases is usually a bum deal for the locals.

[BlackRain]

The greeks are anti-americans because USA WERE doing all the favours their muslim bitch -turkey- was asking them.

Still, Greece NEVER denied Allied help to the Americans, because we simply consider them part of the family.

Well, it seems times change... p-)

Take it down a notch and play nice.

[California Joe]

^What he said.

Thank you BR.

[Scyth]

Pytheus, first of all, you are a spoiled little man in need for a solid fist farking. Second, you quote nonsense from a tabloid that knows jack about foreign policy. Third, actually you believing that the US will write off Turkey strategically belies your utter ignorance about the current state of affairs in the world. Fourth, i wish you the best of lucks in Uncle Sam'a lap. I'm sure it will hurt but you'll like it a lot.

[Pytheus]

Turkish FM: We won't allow attack on Iran from Turkish territory

FM Gul says Turkey won't let US use its territory for military attack on Iran since borders established between Turkey and Iran since 1639 are older than US history

In response to Gul, US ambassador in Turkey Wilson says US hasn't asked for military bases in Turkey to be used in attack on Iran

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated that Turkey will not let the U.S. use its territory in a military attack against Iran since the established borders between Turkey and Iran -- based on an agreement in 1639 -- are older than the history of the U.S..
Speaking to a Turkish newspaper, Gul ruled out any kind of an attack on Turkey's neighbors from Turkish territory and said that Ankara has conveyed its clear position on the matter to Washington.

"We suggest ridding the Middle East of Weapons of Mass Destruction [WMDs] because such weapons only destroy their targets and the surrounding area. We also suggest the resources saved be used for the benefit of the public," Gul added.

Gul also called on Iran to be transparent on the nuclear issue, saying, "That Tehran has long-range ballistic missiles brings up the question of whether it also has nuclear warheads so it would also be in Iran's favor to show that they're transparent."

Responding to Gul's statement, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said on Friday that Washington hasn't requested any military bases on Turkish territory that would be used in an attack against Iran.
Wilson expressed the U.S.' appreciation that Turkey shares the concern of both Washington and the international community over Iran's nuclear program and stressed that the U.S., European Union Big-3, United Nations Security Council (UNSC), International Atomic Energy Agency, Turkey and all other states are seeking a solution through diplomatic means to divert Iran from its nuclear ambitions.

In a separate development, diplomatic sources told ABHaber that Iran's nuclear program will be one the issues that dominate the talks of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Turkey.
Steinmeier is expected to visit Turkey on Feb. 14 following contacts in the Middle East aimed at finding a basis for dialogue between the Muslim world and the West over the crisis that erupted over the publication of the Muhammed cartoons.

Steinmeier, whose country is one of the EU Big-3, is expected to urge Turkey to take a tougher and clearer stance against Iran's nuclear program since Germany is concerned about Ankara's soft stance towards Tehran, according to diplomatic sources.

http://www.abhaber.com/news_page.asp?id=2251
[/B]

Cheers.

Yeah... USA will never dump their trustworthy ally called Turkey, but Turkey will screw them in every turn.. :roll:

[achilles]

Oh no...I'm still good with our deal,but if you're concerned so much about it you should first direct that question to your greek friend, cuz we both know, the reason we're in disagreement with the US is not what your little friend tries to implement with his posts lately ;)

We have had our session with Pytheus in private mind you...




No problem...for your and the others information;

You failed to actually back up your out-of-touch claim that we actually celebrating 9/11 and that we are the MOST anti-american European nation in Europe. You just provided sources for something that has been more than obvious for decades now: there is a general anti-American feeling among Greeks. Same goes to Frace (if not more) and, hell, thats the case with Turkey as well...

So you comment stands false, and if you havent had this "i ll just post anyting" mentality you would have decently retracted your unfortunate comment. Perhaps you ll be more carefull next time.

Sure, there is anti Americanism in Greece. As there is all over Europe. But noone is cracking any champaigns over the 9/11 tragedy i can guarantee you that one.

PS: and yeah we opposed the devastation of Serbia by the NATO bombings...i am quite proud we did, at least in theory ;)

[achilles]

Yeah... USA will never dump their trustworthy ally called Turkey, but Turkey will screw them in every turn.. :roll:

Dude, its not that simple. Definitely, there have been hurdles in the US-Turkish relations lately, but Turkey (along with Israel) will not seize being America's best allies.

Turkey's location is key to America's interests. Keep that in mind.

[Pytheus]

Turkey's location is key to America's interests. Keep that in mind.

IMO, Kurdistan is much more strategical, and Americans know it.. ;)

[Kontra1]

Cheers.

Yeah... USA will never dump their trustworthy ally called Turkey, but Turkey will screw them in every turn.. :roll:

Now..now boy...don't get excited too soon.That's the current gov't's emotional approach to the matter.When it get's closer to SHTF I'm sure they'll be convinced, otherwise would military be in rush for purchasing new airdefence sytems ;)

OTOH...what have YOU guys been doing behind the back of your Allies???

...Greece itself, far from standing passively by, has held a military exercise near Turkey and taken steps to solidify its ties not only with Russia but with such disparate and seemingly unrelated countries as Syria, Armenia, and Iran. As for the Turks, they have been using the time before November to augment their military ties with Israel as well as with Jordan, and to move troops to the Syrian border for a possible confrontation with Damascus.

What is going on here? Greece, a member both of NATO and of the European Union, has a democratic government and a modern economy; at this moment in history, its major challenge is meeting the criteria needed to take full part in the European monetary union. What, then, is it doing allying itself with the likes of Syria and Iran, two of the world's cruelest, most radical, and most anti-Western regimes?...

...The short answer is that the Greeks hate and fear Turks. And so, in the time-honored fashion of the Middle East, they seek to befriend other enemies of Turkey, whoever they may be and however vicious they may be. Acting on a similar logic, Turkey, also a member of NATO and a country with a democratic government, has turned to Israel and Jordan, the other states in the Middle East with a conspicuously pro-American outlook.

http://www.danielpipes.org/article/300

[Pytheus]

kontra in pictures ---> http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif

(btw, do you know that kontra is a greek word? ;) )

[U-S-S-R]

kontra in pictures ---> http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif http://70.85.81.229/2760/108/emo/blah.gif

(btw, do you know that kontra is a greek word? ;) )

(btw, do you know most of 'turkish' culture is based on what turks stole from Byzantines? ;) And do you know that all turks will never admit this but they all know this is true? ;))

[Kontra1]

(btw, do you know most of 'turkish' culture is based on what turks stole from Byzantines? ;) And do you know that all turks will never admit this but they all know this is true? ;))

A russian expert spoke LOL!!!

The "enemy of the mankind" only a decade ago, today just taking an advantage of the new thrends ;)

[Raptus_regaliter]

(btw, do you know most of 'turkish' culture is based on what turks stole from Byzantines? ;) And do you know that all turks will never admit this but they all know this is true? ;))
Please hurry up and get yourself banned already!!! again!!!

[U-S-S-R]

Please hurry up and get yourself banned already!!!

I'm trying... :oops: :oops:

;)


The "enemy of the mankind" only a decade ago, today just taking an advantage of the new threands ;-)

Ah.. enemy of the mankind. No enemy to you and your people it means then. If you catch my drift. ;)

[Laworkerbee]

I think this is quite sad news, I've always thought of Turks as comrades :-(

[Kontra1]

I think this is quite sad news, I've always thought of Turks as comrades :-(

Don't you worry. It's just part of the general psychological ops to bring the current gov't in line with the US policies ;) they're just tring to make sure their plans don't get voted down by the parlement again.

Turkish military is buying airdefence systems already for the event.

[KB]

With the end of the Cold War strategic value of US bases in Turkey appears limited (particularly with new bases being created in eastern Europe); with the erosion of secularism in Turkey US is wise to be moving on. US reapproachment with India will be key relationship to watch going forward.

IMHO the Turks won't mind seeing the US leave.

[NewsMan]

PS: and yeah we opposed the devastation of Serbia by the NATO bombings...i am quite proud we did, at least in theory ;)

The only reason Greece did... was because of religious ties and not because it was right.

[soprano]

THOse articles on greece after 9/11 really made me sick if i had a map of greece right now i'd sh.. all over it.I really never these fanatics really had these kinds of views,i was to visit greece this summer now sadly i thing i will change destination.

[achilles]

The only reason Greece did... was because of religious ties and not because it was right.

Not really. Ties between the two countries go beyond religion.

What was right and wrong in this campaign is subject to enldess discussions. The fact that Serbia was bombed back to 1950 was right, i suppose?



THOse articles on greece after 9/11 really made me sick if i had a map of greece right now i'd sh.. all over it.I really never these fanatics really had these kinds of views,i was to visit greece this summer now sadly i thing i will change destination.

:lol: yes please do that by all means...

[Scyth]

Ah.. enemy of the mankind. No enemy to you and your people it means then. If you catch my drift. ;)

And USSR you are a proof that the Neanderthals/Baboon crossbreed actually survived in Russia without ever interbreeding with evolved hominids.

[PELASGOS]

U.S. military decides Turkey no longer reliable ally.



Oh my current knowledge i wish i had you in the first place!!!! ( Greek proverb badly translated):)

[kineret]

I really can't see the Turks being too upset about Americans packing up and leaving. Hosting US bases is usually a bum deal for the locals.


not really, US bases are usually a boom to local economies. Think about it.

[Scyth]

not really, US bases are usually a boom to local economies. Think about it.

I don't know about Israel but it's not true for Turkey as the Incirlik base is a JOINT AIRBASE. The base has an economic impact for the kebab joints around the area of Incirlik close to Adana but that's about it. The pea-brained members who assume that the US would ditch a first-class airbase in a NATO country with immediate seaport access to the mediterranean for tiny airstrips in Northern Iraq or airbases in faraway places such as Romania or Bulgaria because of a stupid movie are sticking their dirty fingers into somewhere that's even dirtier. How sad this forum is becoming...

This said, it's not clear whose loss it would be if such a thing would come about.

[khukuri]

not an ally anymore? because not allowing us to attack its neighbours, and attack Iran which is a possible future nuclear nation. Wtf do they think, turkye is a sovreign state and not a puppet state. I guess in that case half of europe is neither good allys.

[MalteseFalcon]

Can't you Greeks and Turks every play nice and as for America hitting Iran from Turkey, recently hasn't there been alot of diplomatic relations bewteen Turkey and Iran.

Another thing doesn't Greece have ties with Eygpt and vica versa Turkey have ties with Israel (they are fixing up Turkey's M-60's aren't they) so i don't think religion means squat here.

[Greek soldier]

MalteseFalcon, Greece and Egypt have excellent relations since ANCIENT times. (Before Christ and Muhammad)...

[MalteseFalcon]

Well duh i was just pointing out that religion isn't the reason for this little agruement

[Scyth]

MalteseFalcon, Greece and Egypt have excellent relations since ANCIENT times. (Before Christ and Muhammad)...

Most of the armored vehicles captures from Greek Cypriots in 1974 were donated by Nasser's Mulsim Egypt to the Christian Greeks so that they could slaughter Muslim Turks. Go figure.

Maltese Falcon is sooo right when he says that religion has squat to do in international relations.

[PELASGOS]

Most of the armored vehicles captures from Greek Cypriots in 1974 were donated by Nasser's Mulsim Egypt to the Christian Greeks so that they could slaughter Muslim Turks. Go figure.

Maltese Falcon is sooo right when he says that religion has squat to do in international relations.


Something in this world doesn't seem right.:cantbeli: