"Turkish - US relations
BYEGM: 2/16/2005
BY M. ALI KISLALI
RADIKAL- As you know, in March 2003 our Parliament rejected a motion for the deployment of US soldiers in Turkey for the imminent invasion of Iraq. At that time, certain colleagues of mine thought that Turkish-US relations had collapsed, with the US losing its respect for us. They thought the US would establish bases in Iraq and wouldn�t need us anymore. Then the US deputy defense secretary criticized Turkey, and the General Staff was blamed. Turkey was asked to apologize. At that time, Washington thought Ankara should come to its senses and heed its warnings. Then US forces in Iraq detained eleven Turkish soldiers in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq and put sacks on their heads. Since then, the Turkish public has been a strong enmity against the US. Reevaluating the situation, Washington thought that this atmosphere should be ended because Turkey still looms large in US plans. "
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