"If such an option is chosen, whatever its price, it will be paid," Erdogan told reporters in response to a question about the international repercussions if it decides to stage a cross-border offensive into Iraq against Kurdish rebels.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey would not be deterred by the possible diplomatic consequences if it decides to stage a cross-border offensive into Iraq against Kurdish rebels.
“If such an option is chosen, whatever its price, it will be paid,” Erdogan told reporters in response to a question about the international repercussions of such a decision, which would strain ties with the United States and Iraq.
“There could be pros and cons of such a decision, but what is important is our country’s interests.” Erdogan also had harsh words for the US, which opposes a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq — one of the country’s few relatively stable areas.
“Did they seek permission from anyone when they came from a distance of 10,000 kilometres and hit Iraq?” he said. “We do not need anyone else’s advice.”
Analysts say Turkey could be less restrained about defying the United States because of a congressional committee’s approval of a resolution labelling the mass killings of Armenians around the time of World War I as genocide.
“Democrats are harming the future of the US and are encouraging anti-American sentiments,” Erdogan said. Erdogan said Turkey was ready to sacrifice good ties with Washington if necessary.
“Let it snap from wherever it gets thin,” Erdogan said, using a Turkish expression that means breaking ties with someone or something. At issue in the resolution is the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks.
Turkish authorities have refused to comment on whether Turkey might shut down Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, a major cargo hub for US and allied military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Iskenderun is also used to ferry goods to American troops.
The Yeni Safak newspaper, which is close to the Turkish government, said on Friday that Incirlik and $15 billion worth of defense contracts, including purchase of warplanes, missile and radar systems, could be reviewed.
Turkey could also prevent US firms from taking part in new contracts, Yeni Safak said.
Erdogan said Turkey has long been seeking the cooperation of Iraq and the US in its fight against Kurdish guerrillas, but there has been no crackdown on the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party, which has bases in Iraq.
“We are making necessary preparations to be ready in case we decide on a cross-border operation since we don’t have patience to lose more time,” Erdogan added.
