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US welcomes Turkey`s decision to send troops to Iraq
Washington, Oct 08: The United States today welcomed Turkey`s decision to send troops for the multinational stabilisation force in Iraq.
Washington, Oct 08: The United States today welcomed Turkey's decision to send troops for the multinational stabilisation force in Iraq.
"We welcome that decision and we'll be working with Turkish officials on the details of their decision," White House Press Secretary Scott Mcclellan said.
Asked how many Turkish troops the US wants in Iraq, he said: "I said we would be working with the Turkish government on the details. Again, we'll be working with them on those details." "We welcome countries coming in to provide even broader international participation in our efforts in Iraq. And we will be working on the specific details with Turkey as we move forward."
The Turkish Parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of sending an undetermined number of troops to neighbouring Iraq.
However, the Iraqi Foreign Minister appointed by the governing council had said that he does not want Turkish troops in his country. The Kurds are also averse to Turkish troops. "The council is unanimous in issuing a communique against the sending of Turkish forces to Iraq," Council member Mahmud Othman said in Baghdad.
"It is the wrong thing to do. It does not add to security. It is not useful," said Othman, whose Kurdish ethnic group has a long history of animosity with the Turks.
Bureau Report
Asked how many Turkish troops the US wants in Iraq, he said: "I said we would be working with the Turkish government on the details. Again, we'll be working with them on those details." "We welcome countries coming in to provide even broader international participation in our efforts in Iraq. And we will be working on the specific details with Turkey as we move forward."
The Turkish Parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of sending an undetermined number of troops to neighbouring Iraq.
However, the Iraqi Foreign Minister appointed by the governing council had said that he does not want Turkish troops in his country. The Kurds are also averse to Turkish troops. "The council is unanimous in issuing a communique against the sending of Turkish forces to Iraq," Council member Mahmud Othman said in Baghdad.
"It is the wrong thing to do. It does not add to security. It is not useful," said Othman, whose Kurdish ethnic group has a long history of animosity with the Turks.
Bureau Report