Should US pull Patriot Missiles out of Turkey?

[Chuckiechan]

If the vote goes against the USA, preventing us from basing troops for a northern front against Iraq?

Being a NATO nation, Turkey is to be provided defensive support in a wartime environment. Unless the US is prepared to leave NATO, this really is a null issue.

http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2003...ary/e0210a.htm

[Mike]

I say take them out. If Turkey doesn't want troops, and decides they don't want our missiles there, I thinke we should respect that and take it all out.

[swamp-fox]

Mike: I'm sure they want the missiles there, just not our troops. I'd say leave em even though I'm not happy at all with their help or lack thereof. My nephew shipped out yesterday (101st airborne) now I heard on the News they're talking about having to drop troops by air in the north without all the heavy tanks, artillery support, etc. Oh well I guess it'll all be close air support and lot's of it.

swamp

[ClubMed]

At the moment Turkey only wants defensive troops in line with the NATO regulations, they don't want any offensive power. So pulling out is not an option since both countries are NATO members and since the missiles are there due to NATO regulations.

Putting more troops in Turkey is not part of NATO guidelines hence these are two different issues. NATO is a defence pact and not primarily an offensive or pre-emptive pact.

So the question of pulling out the missiles is irrelevant here.

Turkey has a Moslem majority. I don't understand how anyone expected them to support military action against a Moslem/Arab country?

Would a Jewish population anywhere in the world support killing Jews in Israel? No matter what?

Putting more troops in Turkey is not part of NATO guidelines hence these are two different issues. NATO is a defence pact and not primarily an offensive or pre-emptive pact.

Isn't that what I said?

I don't understand how anyone expected them to support military action against a Moslem/Arab country?

Regardless of ethics or moral issues involved, money is often times a great motivating factor. Just didn't work this time around.

Regardless of ethics or moral issues involved, money is often times a great motivating factor.

This is mostly true. Everyone has a price.

But I see the Arabs as too tightly knit. Look at how Saudi Arabia betrays the US daily. This was considered a strong ally till about 5 years ago.

Mnay Moslem nations may want to support action against Saddam----Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, ..... but they are scared of civil strife, repraisals and so on.

Guess Turkey can't be bribed.

[ClubMed]

Originally posted by RobRich
Putting more troops in Turkey is not part of NATO guidelines hence these are two different issues. NATO is a defence pact and not primarily an offensive or pre-emptive pact.

Isn't that what I said?

I wasn't talking to you Rob.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, as I skimmed through the thread too quickly before catching you intended meaning.