Spiegel on-line: 'The West Needs Turkey as a Reliable Ally'
Tensions between the US and Turkey are growing as Ankara considers attacking PKK bases in northern Iraq and a congressional committee in Washington pushes forward a resolution calling the World War I massacre of Armenians "genocide." German commentators are concerned at the deteriorating relations between the NATO allies.Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Ankara was prepared to face up to international criticism if his country launched an attack on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
"After going down this route, its cost has already been calculated," Erdogan told reporters when asked about international reaction to such an operation. "Whatever the cost is, it will be met."
Note EU-Digest: Turkey has a legitimate right to go after PKK terrorists, which the EU and the US have identified as a terrorist organization. It is obvious the US does not want to rock the boat for their Kurdish friends in Iraq, who have provided a safe haven for the Kurdish PKK terrorists....but at least the European Union should have the courage to stand up for Turkey an applicant member and a reliable ally. Low key statements by the EU trying to avoid Turkish troops from going after the Kurdish PKK terrorists are not very helpful. The Middle East is Europe's backyard, not that of the US. Are you listening Mr. Solana?
