Two US soldiers killed in Iraq, Spanish base attacked, Turkey considers sending troops
Iraq-USA, Politics, 8/23/2003

Two American soldiers were killed yesterday in the city of al-Hella to the south of Baghdad and two other soldiers were captured to the west of Baghdad, while a Spanish military base was exposed to artillery bombardment in al-Dewaneyah, and the UN has announced launching an airline bridge between Baghdad and Amman to evacuate workers of the UN organization from Iraq back to their home countries.

On the other hand, the Italian defense minister announced that his country will not remain in Iraq for more than one year and the French foreign minister doubted the need to sending extra forces to Iraq.

Meantime, the Turkish daily Hurriyet, said that Turkey and the US have reached an initial agreement according to which American soldiers will be deployed in Iraq.

The American army announced yesterday that one American soldier was killed to the south of Baghdad in the area of the first contingent of the American naval forces.

News reports quoted a spokeswoman for the army as saying that the soldier was killed in al-Hella city on Thursday and it had no detailed information about the incident. She also said that a soldier was also killed in Baghdad.

In Beirut, the Lebanese LBC satellite TV said that a group calling itself "al-Madina al-Munawarra group" stressed it captured two American soldiers in Iraq and broadcast two identity cards for them.

LBC indicated that this group which was not previously known said in a statement it had captured the female officer in the America army and one soldier after a clash during which the two American were wounded.

In Ankara, the Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul stressed his support for sending Turkish forces to Iraq.

In an interview with the Turkish daily Milliyet, Gul said that Turkey's interests will not be confined to its borders, "we have to give special interest to what is taking place abroad in order to ensure the realization of peace inside our borders. Stability in Iraq is of importance for Turkey."

Gul added that sending Turkish troops to Iraq in the framework of an international force cannot be considered a military adventure. He stressed that his country is concerned with current developments in Iraq and to consolidating stability in the region.

In an exclusive statement with the Turkish daily Milliyet issued yesterday, Gul added that Turkey will get a share of the Iraqi oil through playing a role in rebuilding Iraq and establishing trade relations with it.

Although Turkey's Prime Minister had under great US pressure previously lobbied for supporting the launch of US war against Iraq, the parliament upon considering the subject voted to reject such support.

Previous Stories:
  Increased Shiite rejection of occupation   (8/16/2003)
  Shiite rejection to Saddam's call to declare Jihad against occupation forces   (8/15/2003)
  UN security council 'welcomes' but does not legalize the 'governing council' in Iraq; Syria abstains   (8/15/2003)
  On Turkey's vote on US forces   (2/27/2003)
  New York Times: On US demands for Turkey's cooperation regarding Iraq   (2/20/2003)
  US trying to buy Turkey's approval for war on Iraq   (2/17/2003)
  Turkey criticize US policy on Iraq   (9/30/2002)

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