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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
U.S. Warns Turkey Of Air Strike On Iran And Syria
2005-12-19
In an overlooked story, the Turkish press reported last week that CIA Director Porter Goss went to Ankara recently and informed the Turkish government that Iran already has nuclear weapons and they should be ready for "a possible US air operation against Iran and Syria".
I was out of the office last week and must have missed this
During his recent visit to Ankara, CIA Director Porter Goss reportedly brought three dossiers on Iran to Ankara. Goss is said to have asked for Turkey’s support for Washington’s policy against Iran’s nuclear activities, charging that Tehran had supported terrorism and taken part in activities against Turkey. Goss also asked Ankara to be ready for a possible US air operation against Iran and Syria.

Goss, who came to Ankara just after FBI Director Robert Mueller’s visit, brought up Iran’s alleged attempts to develop nuclear weapons.
Hummmmm, both CIA and FBI visiting? Hummmmm....
It was said that Goss first told Ankara that Iran has nuclear weapons and this situation was creating a huge threat for both Turkey and other states in the region. Diplomatic sources say that Washington wants Turkey to coordinate with its Iran policies. The second dossier is about Iran’s stance on terrorism. The CIA argued that Iran was supporting terrorism, the PKK and al-Qaeda. The third had to do with Iran’s alleged stance against Ankara. Goss said that Tehran sees Turkey as an enemy and would try to “export its regime.”
There was that other story today about Iranian backed terrorists being convicted of wacking Turks. Interesting
Posted by:Steve

#15  This could also just be a psy op designed to get Syria and Iran's attention and see where the scurrying occurs.
Posted by: Darrell   2005-12-19 20:00  

#14  A brief stint with Google suggests that this story is all over the Turkish press, but not mentioned much if at all in the English press except for a few breathless sites.

What does get heavy emphasis is the demand of Turkey that we come down on the PKK in Iraq. Also mentioned was a meeting of several intel agency heads from different countries, not just the US and Turkey. And it was reported that Turkmen in Iraq, and Iraqi expats within Turkey, did vote in the election last week in high numbers.

So several possibilities suggest themselves. One, that we cut a deal with Turkey similar to the one with the Sunnis regarding stability and ethnic participation in the election. Another is that we agreed to help get the PKK off the Turks' backs in exchange for their passive cooperation if the ball goes down on Iran.

Or perhaps this is intended to raise concerns and gin up opposition to use of Turkish airspace during any attack, or to raise support for aggressive moves by Turkish troops into northern Iraq if we're busy elsewhere.

I haven't a clue as to the likelihood of any of these .... and maybe there are other possibilities as well?
Posted by: lotp   2005-12-19 19:10  

#13  Didn't happen, couldn't have happened. Why? The Bush government hardly trusts the Turks.
Posted by: CaziFarkus   2005-12-19 19:07  

#12  After Iraq, I remain a skeptic about any Turkey cooperation. One would be a fool to make any assumptions in this regard.

If these meetings actually took place, the Turks have their own version of the WaPo and NY Slimes leaking machines.

I'd be disappointed if such meetings haven't taken place at this juncture. Just as I don't believe VP Cheney is solely on a sightseeing trip to the Middle East. Things are racheting up considerably, and "decisive action" will be taken by the US in '06.
Posted by: Captain America   2005-12-19 19:00  

#11  If this story was true the headline would be Porter Goss says Iran already has nukes, it wouldn't bother with the Turkey bit until the third paragraph. Warning Turkey is just how the news apparantly came out.

This story reeks of bovine manure.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2005-12-19 18:14  

#10  When I saw the headline I assumed it had to be Debka. I have no idea about the veracity of "the Turkish press" vs. Debka.
Posted by: Xbalanke   2005-12-19 18:14  

#9  This seems like very big news. Could anyone comment on the reliability of the source?
Posted by: Jake-the-Peg   2005-12-19 16:24  

#8  What about it?
Posted by: lotp   2005-12-19 16:17  

#7  Incerlik
Posted by: Heartless Spemble1219   2005-12-19 15:57  

#6  All we and/or the Israelis need from the Turks is for them to not look at their radar screens for a couple of hours. We'll say when.
Posted by: Steve White   2005-12-19 15:51  

#5  By "smoothing the way", do you mean telling our dear, personal friends (heh), the Turks, don't even *think* about getting in the way?
Posted by: SteveS   2005-12-19 15:47  

#4  Israel and Turkey have pretty good relations...think this is smoothing the way for our ops or Israel's?
Posted by: Frank G   2005-12-19 15:28  

#3  As a side note, Istanbul (Constantinopal) is regarded by the "restore-the-Caliphate" crowd as essential to their schemes.

It is as important to pan-Islamism as a seat of Islamic earthly rule, as Mecca is seen as a spiritual one. If you rule Istanbul, then you *are* the Sultan.

I'm also pretty positive that the Turks are well aware of this.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2005-12-19 15:21  

#2  Maybe BAR, but they have to sell it to the Turkish General Staff who are PO'd because the bumbling with the Iraq invasion negotiations. The Turkish military has special concerns about the tradition established by Ataturk to keep the government secular. This will be interesting.
Posted by: Spuque Elminelet9733   2005-12-19 15:12  

#1  Goss said that Tehran sees Turkey as an enemy and would try to “export its regime.”

Iran doesn't need to export anything; according to some, the current Turkish leadership is quite capably doing that themselves.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2005-12-19 15:00  

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