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U.S. military decides Turkey no longer
reliable ally
15.2.2006
Issue Date: January 16-22, 2006, Posted On: 1/16/2006
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The U.S. military is quietly preparing to
withdraw its forces from Turkey.
Government sources said the military and Defense
Department have concluded that Turkey is no longer a
reliable military ally. The sources said that by
2008 the United States would have no more than a
token military presence in Turkey.
"For two years, the Pentagon waited for a turnaround
in Turkey," a source said. "That hasn't happened and
the Pentagon will be looking elsewhere for basing
and deployment."
The Bush administration was deeply disappointed by
Ankara's refusal to host U.S. troops in 2003 as part
of plans to form a northern front against the Saddam
Hussein regime in Iraq. Last year, despite numerous
pledges, Ankara blocked another U.S. effort to
expand its military presence and use of Turkish
military installations.
As a result, the Pentagon has been changing its
deployment in Turkey and ended incentives for U.S.
soldiers to be based in that country, which is also
a member of NATO. The Pentagon has also terminated
Turkey's certification as an area in direct support
of the U.S. military operation in Iraq.
On Dec. 31, the Pentagon ended most incentives for
U.S. soldiers to be based in Turkey, an area deemed
as high risk amid rising anti-American sentiment
during the war in Iraq.
The Pentagon ended the exemption of U.S. soldiers
from federal taxes in an arrangement known as combat
zone tax exclusion.
U.S. soldiers in Turkey began receiving this benefit
in January 2003 in anticipation of the war in Iraq.
But in a review in late 2005, U.S. European Command
determined that Turkey no longer fulfilled combat
zone requirements.
Officials said the U.S. military will continue to
retain a token presence in Turkey, particularly in
the air force base at Incirlik. Those serving in
Turkey would obtain the imminent danger pay benefit,
which amounts to another $225 a month.
The Pentagon envisions a long-term U.S. military
presence in Iraq, particularly in the autonomous
Kurdish zone in the north.
The United States has built several military bases
and airports in the north, which could serve as a
launching pad for reconnaissance or attack missions
against neighboring Iran.
www.insightmag.com
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