Turkey is NOT an Ally
March 3, 2003
Turkey keeps debating whether to help the US invade Iraq by allowing the use
of their ports, bases and other facilities. First, it was about money, and
lots of it. Then, it was about how the money was to be spent.
The "How it is to be spent" is just an excuse for saying, "No."
Their decision makes it clear ... they are not an ally.
How many friends do you have to bribe to
be a friend? In a normal life... none.
This is what I would do:
No more money. The handouts stop right now.
If war with Iraq is a "Go", then pass them as planned.
Let the Kurds invading Turkey in their quest for
independence or an independent area.
Pull out all troops and close all US Turkish bases.
If we can go to war without them, then we
won't need them in the future.
This may seem harsh, but when you have to buy friendship, the relationship
is irreparably spoiled. It is best we distance ourselves from them. They can
be "Associates", a relationship based on business principles where
friendship has nothing to do with it.
They have been under the US protection umbrella for decades. It's about time
they do for themselves.
