[a_Turk]

Thank you for posting this. Even though Powell was very cordial, our FM's delegation complained that their treatment by State was humiliating.

Asinine, this whole thing. Someone is trying to screw both of us...

[AmishDude]

Even though Powell was very cordial, our FM's delegation complained that their treatment by State was humiliating.

That speaks volumes. My guess is that "amateur hour" goes both ways. I wonder if State was a little insulted that negotiations were still necessary, given that the US and UK went to the mat for Turkey in NATO just a few weeks ago. Still, the domestic political situation had to be considered.

Asinine, this whole thing. Someone is trying to screw both of us...

You've got that right. At first, it looks like the Turks just had their national pride wounded by CNN, but there seems to be a deliberate effort to anger the Turks. One cannot discount the fact that the ruling party's negotiators may have made negotiations difficult and the "abstentions" are more than a little suspicious to me, but we need better negotiators to heal this breach. Time to call in Rummy.

[William McKinley]

While I am disappointed in the vote, I do think that it would be unfair to place the blame squarely at your country's feet. You guys got screwed during the last gulf war, you guys absolutely should be involved in a post-Saddam opposition coalition, and so on.

[etcetera]

I followed your posts last night. Looks like your anger is somewhat justified. The media and our State Dept screwed around and made Turkey look bad. Americans shouldn't forget that half the Turkish parliament voted for us, even though the war is unpopular with the Turkish people.

Thanks for your (and your government's) support. I know this will all work out in the end. Turkey and the U.S. will continue to be good friends and allies.

If you get interesting articles from Turkish media, please post them (in Turkish) and include your translation below it. I know many Freepers would welcome the info. I look forward to your future posts on FR.

[DeuceTraveler]

"Asinine, this whole thing. Someone is trying to screw both of us... "



I agree. This reveals a part of the war that the US currently wages. And I am not talking about the US against fundamentalism. This is an internal, intellectual civil war being waged by our Socialist Democrats headed by men such as Bill Clinton against the Republican right. It's not just a war over politics, it is a war being waged for the very minds and souls of the American people.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Thanks for the ping. We both felt this issue was much more "complex" than what was being reported.

We also have to remember that when Bill Clinton was elected in 1992, Turkey was abandoned after the 1991 Gulf War. They suffered greatly for it.

I just wish they had given this administration the benefit of the doubt.

It is extremely complex, there are the Kurds and their distrust of Turkey. There is the "new" Government in Iraq, which MATTERS to Turkey. So many issues.. but someone somewhere failed to realize what good friends the Turks have been to the US in the past and to really assure them we would not repeat history and abandon them.

Then there was the much publicized but innacurate reporting on the amount of LOAN money to be sent to Turkey.

Lots of mistakes all around.

I wish it could be repaired,.. but I don't think so this time. Hope I'm wrong.

FRegards, Vets

[Robert_Paulson2]

I agree with that.

[Itzlzha]

Thank you for posting this. Even though Powell was very cordial, our FM's delegation complained that their treatment by State was humiliating.

Asinine, this whole thing. Someone is trying to screw both of us...

I have been following your recent "rants" about the situation, and was setting myself to flame you...

Then I read this article, and your response. I am glad I listen to my instincts and did not flame away!

This has State's stench from Foggy Bottom all over it, and mark my words it will be traced back to some NWO-Type Clintonista/Mad Maddi Halfwit holdover...or some career Hack with an axe to grind agains GWB or the US in general.

We are pissed at the Muslim world in it's current state, but we should remember our Allies and alliances. We also will not let another Muja Hadeen situation get out of hand with the Kurds! If they can't play by Human rules, they will end up like the vermin at Tora Bora!

My gut tells me this pooch was screwed on purpose. We need to know who and why!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Bottom line: we had to offer so many sweeteners for the government to go against Turkish anti-Americanism that it looked shady. If Powell had allowed a visit by our military, then he might have been accused of treating Turkey like a 'lap dog', sending generals to 'give them orders'. On the other hand, perhaps GW Bush could have visited Turkey and pled his case directly to the Turkish people, the noble side of the cause, then the talk of 'buying support' might have died down. I'm no Powell defender by any means, but considering your nation's Constitution, sending military negotiators there would have been an even bigger mistake, I think.

No, we should have offered more to the Kurds instead. I think there's still time. We should create a new Kurdistan. Have a nice day.