Turkish Embassy Blast in Iraq Kills Two

AP ^ | 10/14/2003 | N/A

[a_Turk]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded Tuesday at the gates of the Turkish embassy, killing two people including the driver and injuring two or three others, witnesses and U.S. soldiers said.

Turkish NTV television said two embassy employees were hurt.

Witnesses said the car tried to ram through the gates of the embassy at mid-afternoon and suddenly exploded. U.S. troops and Iraqi police sealed off the area and would not permit journalists and others to approach the building.

The blast occurred two days after a powerful car bomb exploded at the Baghdad Hotel, home to U.S. officials and members of the Iraqi Governing Council. At least eight people including the bomber were killed.

Turkey's parliament has approved a government request to send peacekeeping troops to Iraq, a move hailed in Washington but opposed by the Iraqi Governing Council and the country's Kurdish minority. The Turks would be the first major contingent from a Muslim country.

On Tuesday, radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said there would be no difference between Turkish soldiers and members of the U.S.-led force, which he wants to leave the country.

[a_Turk]

Here's some encouragement! Wonder what the polls in Turkey will do now (52% against deployment at present).

[Support Free Republic]

"Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our
wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions,
they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
- John Adams -

Make your statement.

[leadpenny]

Kevin Tibbles of NBC (on the scene) is saying the only fatality was the suicide bomber.

No virgins for you!

~The Virgin Nazi

[wildbill]

the real question is what will the polls in Turkey say. Will their people, which were not very favorable to the deployment if my understanding is correct, stand fast to the committment.

Unlike some members of the UN, I don't think the Turks are afraid of committing to a dangerous place--in fact, they may see the bombing of their embassy as a challenge they can't ignore.

[johnb838]

I Blame Booooosh!

[a_Turk]

I blame Saddam, and the European, Russian, Chinese, and Indian wusses..

[nkycincinnatikid]

And I think Americans don't have a clue as to the value of our fundementally strong relationship with the Turks. To have the ear of such a powerful, and strategic Moslem state is most fortunate.

[a_Turk]

Don't feel bad. Neither do too many Turks know the value of a strong bond with the US. We have to be able to figure out a way for our people to be able to appreciate each other. Until that's accomplished we'll be touch and go..

[marron]

Well, its crunch time. I have been advocating a Turkish presence in Iraq, and a Turk/US alliance going forward, as have a number of others here. We will soon get to see if we have judged correctly.

I am optimistic.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Okay, so now they are not allowed on planes and not allowed in cars.