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Journal of Turkish Weekly
27 December 2005
By Nilgun Gulcan
First heads of the FBI and the CIA visited Turkey. Americans said that there is no significant reason for the visits. "Visits that took place in recent days have nothing to do with Iran and Syria. These visits are [contributions] towards strengthening bilateral relations [between Turkey and the United States]" said similarly Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. However both the FBI and CIA asked about Iran and Syria. Particularly intelligence sharing and possible impact of a military operation were on the agenda of the meetings. Another issue was naturally Iraq. The Americans were wondering Turkey's position regarding the Kurds in Iraq. It is obvious that the Washington needs Turkey in Iraq and a possible American withdrawal from Iraq would mean Turkey's strongly entrance to Iraq. The problem is the Kurdish issue. Turkey is not happy with the independent Kurdish state plans in Northern Iraq. The Kurds seek to include Kirkuk (Kerkuk) city to the Kurdish region, though the majority of the city is not Kurdish. FBI in particular asked the Turkish head of the MIT and Police Intelligence about the possible Turkish attitude if the Kurds 'capture' the Kirkuk city. Turkey said almost nothing. Turkey follows wait-and-see policy.
The CIA and FBI visits were followed by the Israelis. Israeli Army Chief Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz arrived in Turkey in a week. According to the Israeli officials the reason for the visit is to develop the dialogue and co-operation between Turkey and Israel. However the questions were similar to those of Americans. Iran, Syria and Iraq were the foremost priorities. The Israeli Army Chief further asked permission for training the Israeli commandos in Turkey's Bolu and Hakkari mountains. Halutz said "our commandos cannot see snow, the whether in Israel is quite hot. If they can be trained in Turkey they would be ready for the winter conditions". Turkey provides Israeli Air Force training opportunities in Konya Valley. The problem is why Israel wants to be ready for the mountain and winter circumstances? There is no cold neighboring country around Israel. The only places Israeli commandos could use their training are Turkey, Iran and Northern Iraq. According to the Turkish experts, Israeli Army focuses on Iran and Kurdish regions in the Middle East. Three weeks ago Israeli Yedioth Aharonot reported that dozens of former Israeli commandos have been training Kurdish security forces in northern Iraq, supplying them with equipment worth millions of dollars. And now the Israelis want to come to the other side of the border. The Hakkari Mountains are on Turkey-Iraq and Turkey-Iran borders and the surrounding region is sensitive Kurdish populated areas.
It is reported in Turkish media that Ankara is full of spies in recent days. The high ranked Western politicians, security chiefs and bureaucrats have been visiting Ankara. It is obvious that something is happening. The Turkish politicians and military warn Israel and US that any plan to intervene in Iran would be very risky for the future of the volatile Middle East, and that diplomacy should be the preferred solution. However the Israelis and Americans seem decisive. While Iranian leader Ahmedinejad threatens Israel, Washington and Tel Aviv studies on the military operation plans against Iran.
Copyright © 2005 Journal of Turkish Weekly
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