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Journalism of Courage
The northern thrust of a planned US-led invasion of Iraq was thrown into doubt on Wednesday when Turkey put off any decision on whether to allow US forces on its soil. The US and Britain were working to draw up a UN resolution authorising force that they hope will placate global opposition to a war.
But the government of Turkey deferred a decision on allowing US invasion troops to be deployed on its territory, as the two states wrangled over the size of a multi-billion-dollar aid package. ‘‘A framework for the agreement we are looking for has not been established,’’ a spokesman said. ‘‘No decision regarding the request has been made.’’
The US warned its reluctant ally time was running out. ‘‘Time is critical for us,’’ US Ambassador Robert Pearson said in Ankara.
Washington has shown growing frustration as the clock ticks towards military action and has made clear it is close to the point where it could abandon plans for a Turkish front. A White House spokesman said the US offer of $6 billion in grants and up to $20 billion in loan guarantees was final. Turkey has demanded more than $30 billion.
A NATO committee, meeting without France, approved on Wednesday the deployment of defence equipment to Turkey. Britain on Wednesday advised its nationals in Iraq to leave immediately, reminding them that Britons were held hostage before the 1991 War.
President Saddam Hussein maintained a defiant public stance. ‘‘The Iraqi people don’t want war, but not at any cost. We don’t compromise on our independence, dignity and right to live as free men,’’ he said.
The Defence minister of Iran, Iraq’s eastern neighbour, said its forces would ‘‘confront’’ US aircraft over its territory. ‘‘We will defend our airspace and won’t let America violate our airspace while attacking Iraq,’’ Ali Shamkhani said.
The strength of the anti-war mood was clear in a debate at the UN, where country after country spoke out against war and said inspectors looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should instead continue their work.
UN Security Council endorsement of the use of force against Iraq in a new resolution would help Washington’s key allies overcome opposition to war among their voters.
One suggested option — that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein be given an ultimatum to relinquish power — is considered unlikely. This would be tantamount to a call for ‘‘regime change’’ which most of the 15 Council members would reject as illegal, diplomats said. (Reuters)
