McFreedom

So, Turkey now says that we shouldn't automatically count on their support, they want more than the $6 billion in grants and $20 million loan garauntees we've offered to let us use our bases in Turkey in the Iraq war.

First of all, this is the same Turkey that we've supported for EU membership while almost no one else has. The same Turkey who has been a part of the (increasingly useless) NATO for some time now. And now the time comes, and they want even more money?

But, beyond all this, why do we want troops in Turkey?. We could do the invasion from the south if we had to. Sure, it's nice to split the Iraqi forces, but I don't think there's really going to be that much resistance, anyhow. One reason is that we want to stop Mr. Hussein's troops from torching the northing Iraqi oilfied, to insure Turkey's supply of cheap oil.. The other is to prevent the Kurds in Iraq from getting any ideas, to save Turkey from an independent Kurdistan. For which they want us to pay them more money. Uh, OK, how about this counter-offer: We stop supporting you for EU membership, let Saddam Hussein torch the northern oil fields, and let the Kurds form an independent Kurdistan, seriously running the risk of a Kurdish rebellion in your south.

Or would you rather have the $25 billion and give us a hand, here?