Turkey Reassures Iran Over NATO Missile Defense Shield

Arutz Sheva ^ | 25/12/11 | Chana Yaar

[Eleutheria5]

Turkey's foreign minister made a special effort Saturday to reassure Iran that his country will not join any "foreign interference" against the Islamic Republic, according to a report published by the official Iranian news agency IRNA.

The NATO defense shield missile radar system placed on Turkish territory in September has been a point of contention with Iran since it was installed. A similar system was also installed in Romania.

Speaking in a live Turkish public television political talk show, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that in spite of a number of differences in the viewpoints of the two countries over the system's existence, "there are many common points in many issues."

He was also quoted as saying that relations between the two countries "have never been as good as they are now."

Responding to a question from the interviewer, the foreign minister said he has met with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Salehi more than with any others, and that the two discuss issues "sincerely and explicitly."

Despite the reassurances, Turkey participated with Egypt ten days ago in a naval exercise dubbed "Sea of Friendship." Israeli officials speculated that the exercise may have been aimed not at Israel, but rather at long-time Turkish rival Iran.

Iran had threatened only days earlier to "target NATO's missile defense shield in Turkey and then hit our next targets." The threat has been repeated regularly since the shield's installation several months ago.

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[Eleutheria5]

So Turkey will not interfere with Iran attacking a NATO missile defense shield stationed in Turkey. Is Turkey still a part of NATO? No tears if they aren't, but it would be good of them to simply say so.

[PGalt]

Gobble, gobble, gobbleldygook. It’s tough to decifer a taqiyya-talkin’ Turkey. A mutant philosophy trumps a nation-state and an intergovernmental policy between nation-states.

[WildWeasel]

Appeasement never works.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You do not improvise defensive responses to an attack, you execute a plan. The U.S. does not put valuable military assets were they defenseless. If the Iranians attack those radar stations there must be a defensive plan that will be executed without consulting Turkey or anyone else.

Iran’s bluster is nothing but empty threats, aimed at persuading the people of Turkey, which they might yet succeed in doing. We have pretty clearly demonstrated that we are irresolute and half-hearted, even under Bush II. When 53% of the American people voted for Hopiechange, we proved it.

Our dithering and irresolution disheartens our friends and encourages our enemies.

[LibLieSlayer]

turkey is lost... cut them loose and cut their throats... hey they like that stuff. I met a young girl... foreign exchange student... had to go back home... she said her family might kill her because she tried to stay here. She really didn't want to go. My friend who knew her received word from another student... her brother beat her to death. turkey is ruled by a satanic death cult.

LLS

[Eleutheria5]

S@#$. Why couldn’t she apply for asylum? “My family wants me dead to preserve their ‘honor’” ought to qualify one for refugee status.

[LibLieSlayer]

I suggested that but she was scared... she wouldn't give a reason but she did not want to go home. Maybe she was scared that the muzzies here would have killed her... I just do not know.

LLS

[Eleutheria5]

One day soon the cosmic bill will come due for Muzzies everywhere.

[LibLieSlayer]

Amen!

LLS

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Eleutheria5.

...to reassure Iran that his country will not join any "foreign interference" against the Islamic Republic... A similar system was also installed in Romania.

It's a trick -- there's no such thing as an Islamic Republic. :')