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Inside the Middle East
March 24, 2009
Posted: 835 GMT

By Ivan Watson
CNN

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) - Turkey's prime minister said Saturday he would be receptive to the possibility of allowing American troops to withdraw from Iraq across Turkish territory, if the United States asks for permission.

Ivan Watson sits down with Prime Minister Erdogan. Click here to watch.
Ivan Watson sits down with Prime Minister Erdogan. Click here to watch.

"With regard to the exit of the American soldiers, we are positive on that issue," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking through an interpreter.

In an exclusive interview with CNN at the headquarters of his Justice and Development Party, Erdogan indicated he had not yet received an official request from his American ally for permission to move troops across Turkish soil.

"If weapons and ammunition are going to come out, it has to be clear where they are going to be heading," Erdogan said. "If we are informed about where this military equipment would be going precisely, then we can make a proper evaluation."

In March 2003, the Turkish parliament voted against allowing a U.S. invasion force to cross Turkey's border to Iraq.

At the time, Erdogan's political party commanded a majority of seats in parliament.

The decision upset Pentagon plans to open a northern front in the push to overthrow Iraq's Saddam Hussein regime, forcing the U.S. military to rely on a single-pronged invasion force from Kuwait.

It also struck a blow to the close U.S.-Turkish relationship, which grew increasingly tense during the U.S. occupation of Iraq - widely unpopular in Turkey.

American popularity dropped to single digits in Turkish opinion polls during the Bush administration.

But Erdogan said President Obama has hit the right tone since his election to office.

"His steps for Guantanamo Bay ... were very positively received in Turkey," Erdogan said, adding that he also welcomed Obama's recent message to Iran offering congratulations on the Persian New Year.

Erdogan drew a comparison between himself and the American leader, saying they shared similar humble roots.

Erdogan is expected to host Obama next month, when the U.S. president is scheduled to make a two-day visit to Turkey.

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Filed under: CNN Coverage •Turkey


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Itai   March 24th, 2009 8:18 pm ET

if turkey wanna get the drones and the us weaponery they should not decide they should just accept every command out of the u$a

or is the money beging u$a in need to sell the weapons anyway?

GLeigh   March 25th, 2009 2:19 am ET

It sounds like these two world leaders connected on a political level, hopefully one that is beneficial to the people in their countires, and on a personal level. People are people, despite their position in life.

Itai   March 25th, 2009 6:09 pm ET

yes GLeigh

let us hope that more connections will come true
as allready between the communists and the usa
or maybe hopefully soon between the usa and iran
or between some african countries as also between some latin american countries

let us hope we all get connected through peace and not through war

GLeigh   March 26th, 2009 3:15 am ET

Itai – I think many connections have been made throughout the years. Many. Back in the 1900's, 1940's, there were nukes and now nuke subs bump each other out in oceans. I think if there were not many connections, we wouldn't be writing on the internet and enjoying blogging on a U.S. site. I, personally, lived out in the boonies and went on a tour of a nuke place that is now filled in with concrete. Wasn't a big deal. I just hope others go for connections and the older ones continue. Nothing ever stays the same, of course, look at a forest, but long run, the growth still happens.

GLeigh   March 26th, 2009 3:19 am ET

When I toured this missile base, I was in 11th grade. I'm now 50. On the way to the hospital to deliver my first child, almost had to pull over and have him in their drive. My hubby cracked jokes about that, but now it is filled in with concrete so that is comforting. Oddly, some woman, I think, did have a baby soon after in that drive, but my son is 22. I might be wrong, but pretty sure. Nuke power might be okay, wind and solar, but not the weapons. I thought they looked pretty large.


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