Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the United States, is set to meet with Turkish officials in Ankara this week to discuss Iraq and other regional issues. This visit comes amid President Bush's call for the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power. According to defense officials, this trip presents a good opportunity to understand Turkey's perspectives on its neighbor Iraq. They state that the visit was planned long in advance and is unrelated to the current political crisis facing Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Wolfowitz will first give a speech in Istanbul on Sunday and then on Monday will discuss an American airstrike on a village in Afghanistan with Afghan officials, who report that 48 Afghan civilians were killed in the attack. Wolfowitz will return to Ankara from Kabul to engage with Turkish officials.
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Discusses Iraq with Turkish Officials - 2002-07-13
Paul Wolfowitz, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, is visiting Turkey to discuss Iraq amidst calls for Saddam Hussein's removal. The trip aims to gauge Turkey's views on Iraq and is unrelated to Turkey's internal political crisis. It highlights the U.S.'s ongoing military interests in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Paul Wolfowitz is visiting Turkey to discuss Iraq and gauge Turkish perspectives on the situation, particularly in light of U.S. calls for Saddam Hussein's removal. The visit is not linked to Turkey's internal political crisis.
- Wolfowitz will give a speech in Istanbul before meeting with Turkish officials in Ankara.
- The trip is part of broader U.S. military interests in the region.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In the early 2000s, the U.S. was increasingly focused on Iraq, leading to discussions about regime change and military intervention. Turkey's strategic location made it a key partner in these discussions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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