Turkey could recall ambassador to US if resolution passes, Ankara says

[FarCenter]

Thursday, March 4, 2010
FULYA ÖZERKAN
ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=ankara-says-all-options-on-the-table-2010-03-04

Ankara warned on Thursday that all options remain on the table, including recalling its ambassador to the United States, if a congressional panel in Washington recognizes the 1915 killings of Armenians as genocide.

The U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee will consider the resolution Thursday.

Turkey is weighing all the risks and is making calculations over potential retaliatory measures against the contentious resolution, one Turkish official said, adding, “All options are on the table.”

In 2007, when the U.S. Foreign Affairs Committee passed a similar measure, Ankara recalled its ambassador to Washington in protest and says it is one of the options today.

Turkish officials, basing their argument on the strong partnership with the United States, warned that the U.S. administration should not let the relationship be harmed by the resolution but admitted that the Obama administration has been less supportive than the George W. Bush administration in opposing the measure. Washington has been pursuing a “wait-and-see” policy, according to Ankara.

Turkish President Abdullah Gül called Obama late Wednesday, an indicator of Turkey's quest to secure support from Washington until the last moment to block the measure.

The passage of the resolution could overshadow Turkish-U.S. cooperation in Afghanistan and Iraq, say Turkish officials. Turkey may even consider closing the İncirlik air base, which would be a severe blow given the close Turkish-U.S. military ties that have developed since Turkey joined NATO in 1952. Both countries are jointly involved in several missions.

The current U.S. administration is also considering Turkey as a possible radar-base site as part of efforts to neutralize Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs and prevent a Middle East arms race. Turkey has not yet answered Washington, and the Turkish General Staff is still evaluating the idea.

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[leeroysphitz]

1. Oh noes! If that happens we may not be able to invade Iraq from the North West

through Kurdish held territory!

[FarCenter]

2. Actually, they didn't let us do that anyway -- but closing Incirlik would be a big deal