March 2003
Colin Powell's Three-Day Visit to Turkey and Belgium - 2003-03-31
Colin Powell is visiting Turkey and Belgium to improve U.S. relations with Turkey and NATO allies, which have been strained by the Iraq war. He…
Hijacker of Turkish Passenger Plane Surrenders to Authorities in Athens - 2003-03-29
A young Turkish man hijacked a passenger plane but surrendered in Athens after releasing all passengers unharmed. He claimed he wanted to go to Germany,…
Turkey Temporarily Closes Its Airspace to U.S. Missiles - 2003-03-28
Turkey has temporarily restricted its airspace to U.S. missiles after a Tomahawk missile crashed on its territory. This decision comes amid ongoing military operations related…
Deployment of 30,000 Fresh American Troops to the Persian Gulf - 2003-03-27
The U.S. is deploying over 30,000 troops, including the 4th Infantry Division, to the Persian Gulf to engage in combat against Iraq. This move follows…
Turkish Army Chief States Ankara Will Only Send Additional Forces to Northern Iraq in Coordination with the United States
The Turkish Army Chief announced that additional troops will only be sent to northern Iraq in coordination with the U.S. This decision hinges on the…
Deployment of Turkish Forces to Northern Iraq in Case of Refugee Influx
Turkey is preparing to deploy forces to northern Iraq if a refugee crisis occurs, with plans to establish a refugee camp within its borders. Abdullah…
New U.S. Command Center in Kurdish Region - 2003-03-25
The U.S. Army is setting up a command center in northern Iraq's Kurdish region to support humanitarian efforts and maintain security. This move is significant…
President Bush Warns Turkey to Stay Away from Northern Iraq - 2003-03-25
President Bush has warned Turkey against military intervention in northern Iraq to avoid conflict with Iraqi Kurds. The Iraqi Kurds have threatened retaliation if Turkey…
The United States and Turkey Still Disagree on the Deployment of Turkish Soldiers
The U.S. and Turkey are at an impasse over the deployment of Turkish troops to northern Iraq, with the U.S. and EU opposing the move.…
President Bush's Special Envoy Denies Agreement with Turkey - 2003-03-25
Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy, denies any agreement allowing Turkish forces into northern Iraq, emphasizing U.S. opposition to unilateral actions. President Bush has warned Turkey…
U.S. and Turkey Officials Fail to Reach Agreement on Deployment of Turkish Soldiers to Northern Iraq - 2003-03-24
U.S. and Turkish officials could not agree on Turkey's plan to send troops to northern Iraq, facing opposition from the U.S., EU, and Kurds. Erdoğan…
Hundreds of Thousands Participate in Protests Against US-Led War in Iraq for the Fourth Consecutive Day - 2003-03-23
Hundreds of thousands are protesting against the US-led war in Iraq for the fourth day, with significant participation from university students in Jordan and Egypt.…
Turkish Military Officials Deny Deployment of Troops in Northern Iraq
Turkish military officials have denied media reports of troop deployment in northern Iraq, stating they have not entered Kurdish-controlled areas. Germany has warned Turkey against…
Turkish Military Officials Deny Deployment of Special Forces in Kurdish Regions of Iraq - 2003-03-22
Turkish military officials have refuted claims of deploying special forces in northern Iraq's Kurdish regions, despite media reports suggesting otherwise. Germany has warned Turkey against…
Turkish Soldiers Enter Kurdish Region - 2003-03-22
Turkey has deployed around 1,000 soldiers to northern Iraq to stop Iraqi Kurds from entering Turkey, facing opposition from the U.S. and Iraqi Kurds. The…
Turkey Opens Airspace to Warplanes
Turkey has opened its airspace to U.S. and British warplanes after negotiations regarding Turkish military presence in northern Iraq. This move aims to prevent an…
U.S. Military Supplies Will Not Pass Through Turkey - 2003-03-22
U.S. military supplies will be rerouted through the Suez Canal instead of Turkey, ending efforts to deploy troops from Turkish bases. Over 20 cargo ships…
Turkey's Airspace Remains Closed to US and UK Fighter Jets
Turkey's airspace is still closed to US and UK fighter jets amid ongoing negotiations between US and Turkish officials over the entry of Turkish forces…
International Red Cross Requests $158 Million
The International Red Cross has requested $158 million to aid Iraqi civilians affected by the U.S.-led war, highlighting the urgent need for food, health care,…
Turkish Parliament Votes on Government Proposal
The Turkish Parliament is voting on a proposal to allow U.S. warplanes to operate from Turkish airbases as part of military operations in Iraq. This…
Turkish Parliament Approves Bill for U.S. and U.K. Aircraft Use of Its Airspace
The Turkish Parliament has approved a bill allowing U.S. and U.K. military aircraft to use its airspace for operations in Iraq, while denying coalition forces…
Turkey's Government Requests Parliament Approval for US Fighter Jets to Use Turkish Airspace - 2003-03-19
The Turkish government is seeking parliamentary approval for US fighter jets to use its airspace for operations in Iraq, but these jets will not be…
Turkey's Government Reintroduces Bill for Deployment of US Forces to Parliament
Turkey's government is reintroducing a bill to allow the deployment of US forces, which was previously rejected by lawmakers due to public opposition. The US…
Turkey: We Act Urgently - 2003-03-18
Turkey is preparing to take urgent action regarding U.S. military operations in Iraq, following a unanimous decision by its political and military leaders. There is…
Turkey Holds Emergency Meeting to Review U.S. Use of Bases and Airspace
Turkey has called an emergency meeting to discuss the potential use of its bases by U.S. forces for an attack on Iraq, with a parliamentary…
Colin Powell: I Am Not Completely Hopeless About the Deployment of American Soldiers in Turkey
Colin Powell expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential deployment of American troops in Turkey, despite a recent parliamentary rejection. Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan plans to…
Colin Powell: The U.S. Has Not Given Up Hope of Using Turkish Bases
Colin Powell expressed that the U.S. is still hopeful for Turkey's parliamentary approval to deploy troops for a potential conflict in Iraq. The U.S. aims…
Anti-War Protests Against U.S. Preparations for Attack on Iraq - 2003-03-15
Large-scale anti-war protests occurred globally in response to U.S. preparations for an attack on Iraq. Demonstrators in various countries, including Turkey, Iraq, and the UK,…
Bombing of Iraqi Radars at the Jordan Border - 2003-03-15
On March 15, 2003, a U.S. B-1 bomber attacked Iraqi radar sites near the Jordan border. This military action coincided with the movement of U.S.…
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the new Prime Minister of Turkey, takes control of his country - 2003-03-15
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has assumed the role of Prime Minister of Turkey and formed a new cabinet. His government may seek to allow U.S. forces…
Demonstrations by 'Green Peace' Members in Various Locations Against the Iraq War - 2003-03-14
Members of the 'Green Peace' movement protested across Europe against the impending Iraq War. Demonstrations occurred in Moscow, Turkey, and Germany, highlighting widespread opposition to…
U.S. Pressure on Turkey to Allow Use of Its Airspace
The U.S. is exerting pressure on Turkey to permit the use of its airspace for military operations against Iraq, following a recent rejection by the…
President Bush Calls for Clarification on Deployment of American Soldiers in Turkey - 2003-03-14
President Bush urged Turkey to clarify the status of American troop deployment in anticipation of a potential war with Iraq. This request follows Turkey's recent…
Turkey's Supreme Court Bans Activities of Kurdish Party Due to Links with Turkish Kurdish Rebels - 2003-03-13
Turkey's Supreme Court has banned the activities of the HDP due to its ties with Kurdish rebels, imposing a five-year political ban on its leaders.…
Erdogan - Busy Forming New Cabinet of Turkey - 2003-03-13
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the process of forming his new cabinet as the future Prime Minister of Turkey. The U.S. government is eager for…
Turkish Officials Say Ankara Will Appeal the Ruling
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Abdullah Ocalan's trial was unfair due to the presence of a military judge and lack of legal…
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Continues Consultations to Form New Government in Turkey - 2003-03-12
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is in the process of forming a new government in Turkey, with the U.S. hoping for quick approval for the deployment of…
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey - 2003-03-12
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Turkey by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. His cabinet will consider the issue of…
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Officially Appointed as Prime Minister of Turkey - 2003-03-11
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been officially appointed as Prime Minister of Turkey by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Erdoğan's government will decide on the future of…
Kofi Annan's Efforts to Resolve the Cyprus Crisis Have Failed
Kofi Annan's recent attempt to mediate the Cyprus crisis has failed after extensive negotiations with both Greek and Turkish leaders. Despite this setback, Turkish and…
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The U.S. Should Define Turkey's Role in Iraq After the War
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the need for the U.S. to clarify Turkey's role in post-war Iraq before Turkey considers allowing U.S. troops on its soil.…
Under the Microscope: Reflection of Iran's Nuclear Programs in American Newspapers - 2003-03-10
The article discusses the Washington Post's report on Iran's advancing nuclear program and the potential for Iran to develop its first atomic bomb within a…
U.S. Ambassador in Turkey: Erdogan's Victory is Promising for the Deployment of American Troops
U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson expressed optimism about the deployment of American troops in Turkey following Erdogan's recent electoral victory. Erdogan's potential rise to prime minister…
Preliminary results from the vote count show that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has gained a significant majority in the elections of Siirt province
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has won a significant majority in local elections in Siirt province, which could pave the way for his return to parliament and…
Hundreds of Turkish Army Trucks Carrying Armored Equipment Headed to Iraq Border - 2003-03-07
Hundreds of Turkish military trucks are heading to the Iraq border, signaling Turkey's military mobilization ahead of a possible U.S.-led war. This move aims to…
USA: Time and Opportunity for Turkey is Running Out - 2003-03-06
The U.S. is pressuring Turkey to decide on the deployment of American troops as time runs out. General Hilmi Ozkok supports the deployment, arguing it…
Turkish Army Supports Plan for Deployment of American Soldiers - 2003-03-05
The Turkish Army has expressed support for the government's plan to allow American troops to use Turkish bases for potential operations against Iraq. General Hilmi…
Turkey Seeks Commitment from the U.S.
Turkey is demanding that the U.S. commit to preventing Kurdish independence in northern Iraq before a new vote on U.S. military deployment. This is crucial…
With or Without Turkey's Participation - The U.S. is Ready to Attack Iraq - 2003-03-04
The U.S. is prepared to attack Iraq regardless of Turkey's involvement, as stated by General David McKiernan. The Pentagon's plan to deploy troops in Turkey…
USA: Turkey Should Not Expect Financial Aid
The U.S. has informed Turkey that it should not expect significant financial aid following Turkey's refusal to allow U.S. troops to be stationed there. This…
Turkey's Decision to Reject the Deployment of American Soldiers Complicates U.S. Military Planning
Turkey has rejected a U.S. plan to deploy soldiers for a potential war with Iraq, complicating American military strategies. This decision surprised U.S. officials, who…
Turkish Prime Minister: Refusal to Allow U.S. Military Deployment Will Not Harm Bilateral Friendship
Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul reassured that the parliament's rejection of U.S. military deployment won't damage U.S.-Turkey relations. The vote showed a narrow opposition, and…
Senior Member of the Ruling Party: Turkey Has No Immediate Plans for Another Parliamentary Vote
A senior member of Turkey's ruling party announced that there are no immediate plans for another parliamentary vote on a bill to allow the deployment…
Turkish Parliament Approves Deployment of American Forces - 2003-03-01
The Turkish Parliament has approved the deployment of American forces in Turkey for a potential war against Iraq. This decision allows the U.S. to use…