PanARMENIAN.Net
Gates: there is real risk of perhaps not shutting us down in terms of
access to Incirlik but of at least restricting it
19.10.2007 15:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `We call on Turkey to refrain from military action
into Iraq that would create an international crisis and further
undermine stability in Iraq. We recognize the harm and heartbreak
caused by terrorist attacks across the Iraqi border into Turkey and
are working with both governments to rein in the activities of the
PKK,’ he said.
`I’m scheduled to meet with Turkey’s Minister of Defense next week in
Europe and intend to discuss this situation with him,’ he said.
Mr Gates did not fail to express concern over the Armenian Genocide
Resolution adopted October 10 by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
`I voiced my concerns about the pending congressional resolution on
Armenian genocide with leaders on Capitol Hill. The question is really
the timing and the consequences. I would state again it has the
potential to do real harm to our troops in Iraq and would strain,
perhaps beyond repair, our relationship with a key ally in a vital
region and in the wider war on terror,’ he said.
"Having worked this issue in the last Bush administration … I don’t
think the Turks are bluffing. I think it is that meaningful to them. I
think there is a very real risk of perhaps not shutting us down" in
terms of access to Turkish airspace for resupplying U.S. troops in
Iraq, but of at least restricting it," Gates said.
`About 70 percent of our air cargo into Iraq goes through
Incirlik. About a third of our fuel goes across the border, across the
– into Iraq, and 95 percent of the MRAPs that we’re flying into the
theater are going through Incirlik,’ he said, reports the press office
of the U.S. Department of Defense.