Allies Should Inform Turkey One Month Before They Start To Use Incirlik Air Base
Turkishpress.com
Published: 5/3/2005
ANKARA – Allied countries such as the Untied States, Britain and/or
Korea should inform Turkey one month before they used Incirlik Air
Base in southern city of Adana or any other port, airport or base,
diplomatic sources said on Monday.
The same sources said that Turkey had the right of sovereignty on
the bases. On the other hand, before the decree which extended the
period for usage of Incirlik Base for one year, the U.S. Embassy in
Ankara said that the U.S. demand also included block permission for
planes landing at or taking off from the Incirlik.
The United States which demanded the period for the use of Incirlik
Air Base be extended and whose demand was met by the last decree, will
be able to have maximum six C-17 cargo planes at that base. Logistic
supplies needed by the United States will be carried to the base by
civilian and military aircraft. They will be transported to Iraq and
Afghanistan by these cargo planes.
The U.S. planes will not be able to carry personnel or ammunition
from Incirlik base.
Diplomatic sources described the extension of period for use of
Incirlik base as continuation of logistic assistance activities.
-THE THIRD DECREE-
Council of Ministers of Turkey has approved so far three decrees which
foresees usage of Turkish ports, airports and bases under the United
Nations Security Council resolutions in the line of principles to be
determined by Turkish General Staff.
The first decree of Council of Minister was put into force on June
23rd, 2003 and this decree was extended for one year on June 22nd,
2004.
Diplomatic sources said that the approval of the last decree not in
June but at the end of April was a political decision.
Bases, ports and airports in Turkey can be used also by allied
countries such as Britain, Canada, Italy, Hungary and Korea from time
to time.
Sources said that Turkey responded positively to demands of allied
countries by considering the following issues:
-Responsibilities that were undertaken in line of decisions of NATO
and UN in fight against terrorism,
-Stability and security in Iraq,
-Solidarity with Iraqi people,
-Stability and peace in Afghanistan,
-Solidarity with Afghan people,
-Bilateral relations with allies Britain and the United States,
-Friendly relations with Korea.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress