Turkish Forces may have entered N Iraq

[MKSheppard]

Full story:

ANKARA, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkey said Friday its troops would enter northern Iraq to prevent an influx of refugees across its borders, but gave no date for an incursion the United States says it opposes.

Turkey's armed forces would also enter the Iraqi Kurdish enclave to prevent "terrorist activity," Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told reporters at a news conference.

The United States has not agreed to Turkey sending troops into northern Iraq, a U.S. official said.

Turkey already stations several thousand soldiers a short distance inside northern Iraq, but Iraqi Kurds oppose their presence saying they threaten Iraq's territorial integrity.

Gul said Turkey had no designs on Iraqi territory.

[Crown]

Turkey is playing a very dangerous game at the moment, and it risks being marginalised if it pushes too far. Consider most of the Duchess' arguments about why Turkey is such an important ally to the US. They are based on strong geographical and religious facts. However when this war is over, Turkey will no longer be alone in presenting Middle East opportunities for the US. Acess to the Black Sea can be provided by Bulgaria and Romania, and a powerbase in the Middle East will be provided by traditional backer Israel and post-war Iraq.

Turkey risks erking US anger, and losing status at the same time. The only point in which Turkey can still uniquely give the US is access to the Bospherous. What remains to be seen if this trump card of Turkey's will be enough to stay the US' hand if it is significantly provoked with anger. Very interesting times indeed.