US troops on the move in Turkey

[Cees Binkhorst]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/08/1046826558529.html

US troops on the move
Saturday 8 March 2003, 10:05AM

Turkey and the United States intensified military preparations in
regions close to the Iraqi border despite lingering uncertainty on
whether Ankara will allow US forces to use its territory to attack
Iraq.

Observers said the accelerated activity was a result of rising
expectations that the Turkish parliament will make a second - and
this time successful - attempt to pass a government motion allowing
US combat forces to launch a northern assault on Iraq from Turkish
soil, according to observers.

A ship carrying US equipment unloaded military trucks, ambulances,
earth-moving machines, containers and mobile bridge parts at the
Iskenderun port on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, NTV television
reported.

Iskenderun is the main sea port from where the United States has been
bringing in equipment since early last month, when the parliament
allowed US personnel to upgrade several Turkish air bases and sea
ports ahead of a possible war in Iraq.

Dozens of trailer trucks left Iskenderun for Mardin in the southeast,
where US forces will reportedly set up logistical headquarters if the
Turkish parliament gives the green light to US war plans.
[knip]

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