- Title: TURKEY: 30 PIECE CONVOY OF U.S AMBULANCES AND MILITARY VEHICLES LEAVES FOR MARDIN
- Date: 8th March 2003
- Summary: (W3) ISKENDERUN, TURKEY 08/03/2003 (REUTERS) 1. SLV OF THE US SOLDIERS AT THE PORT GATE 0.09 2. SLV POLICE CAR AND TURKISH SOLDIERS 0.15 3. SLV SOLDIERS STANDING BY TRUCKS 0.22 4. SLV SOLDIER UNROLLING ROLLS OF WIRE TO ALLOW VEHICLES THROUGH BARRIER 0.30 5. WIDE OF SECURITY BARRIER BEING RAISED AND CONVOY OF TURKISH TRUCKS CARRYING U.S. AMBULANCES AND MILITARY VEHICLES DRIVING THROUGH GATE 0.37 6. VARIOUS OF THE CONVOY ON THE ROAD LEAVING PORT (3 SHOTS) 1.03 7. SLV ARMED SOLDIER WATCHING CONVOY DEPART 1.10 8. WIDE OF POLICE ESCOURT ACCOMPANYING MILITARY CONVOY ALONG ROAD 1.17 9. VARIOUS OF MILITARY CONVOY TRAVELLING ALONG MOTOR WAY (2 SHOTS) 1.32 10. SLV END OF MILITATY CONVOY, TRAILER FOLLOWED BY MILITARY TRUCK 1.40 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2003 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ISKENDERUN, TURKEY
- Country: Turkey
- Reuters ID: LVAEJEAEIKW5FCCCOUCTQDKF9RPF
- Story Text: A 30 vehicle convoy carrying U.S. ambulances and
military vehicles has left the Mediterranean port of
Iskenderun for the southeastern town of Mardin, to join other
U.S. vehicles there, a port official has said.
A 30 U.S. convoy carrying ambulances and military
vehicles left early on Saturday (March 8) from Iskenderun
port, followed by another 30 vehicle convoy.
A port official said the convoy was heading for the
southeastern town of Mardin where more U.S. soldiers are
located at a yard of factory.
Another convoy with military vehicles had left the same
port on Thursday again for the same destination.
Ships carrying equipment for the U.S. Fourth Infantry
Division are currently waiting off Turkey's Mediterranean
coast and at the southern port of Iskenderun a cargo ship
offloaded jeeps, medical supplies and military equipment on
Friday.
Debate continues in Turkey about whether to let U.S.
troops deploy on its territory to launch a northern front in a
war against its southern neighbour Iraq, a key element of U.S.
pre-war planning.
Turkey's powerful military on Wednesday voiced a strong
call to allow U.S. troops on its territory, boosting chances
of an attack on Iraq's north from Turkey which it sees making
for a shorter, less costly war. Chief of the General Staff
Hilmi Ozkok said Turkey would be better off in any war than
out of it in a rare public statement from the influential
general that may increase the likelihood of
a deal between Washington and its NATO ally. Turkey's
parliament dealt a blow to U.S. planning for a possible war
against Iraq on Saturday, refusing permission for deployment
of 62,000 of American troops there.
While U.S. military personnel modernise Turkish bases
under a previous agreement, armour and ammunition sit in the
Mediterranean port while ships full of U.S. troops sail the
Mediterranean Sea close by.
An absence of U.S. troops in northern Iraq in any war
could increase the danger of confrontation between Iraqi Kurds
and Turkish forces -- a "war within a war" Washington fears.
The government has not yet given any timetable for the
second motion to parliament but lawmakers from the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP) said it was unlikely to
take place before a by-election on Sunday.
The Turkish parliament voted in January a motion allowing
upgrade work on the military airbases and port.
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