A day after returning from a congressional mission to Turkey, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers says the United States is nearing an agreement to allow troops to be stationed at the Turkish-Iraqi border.
As part of a three-member delegation, Rogers, R-Brighton, met with Turkish leaders to discuss prospects of a $30-billion aid offer to Turkey as compensation for allowing troops to use the nation's land and airspace.
Rogers, who joined U.S. Reps. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., and Robert Wexler, D-Fla., stressed there is little time to contemplate a final decision.
And if Turkish leaders fail to comply with the United States' request, the alliance between the nations could be strained, Rogers said.
"Once the train leaves, if you're not on it, it will do serious harm to Turkish-American relations, and there is really no way to deny that," he said. "Their role in northern Iraq is critical."
U.S. leaders are pushing for a decision within 10 days, but Turkish leaders acknowledged it could take as much as three weeks to reach consensus, Rogers said.
During the visit, Turkish Parliament leaders made it clear the Turkish people don't favor war, and some equate an attack on Iraq with war on Islam, he said.
Turkey's permission is "incredibly important to a quick victory" because it would allow troops to come at "Baghdad from two directions," Rogers said.
But some area residents, including members of the Greater Lansing Network Against War in Iraq, say U.S. leaders are bribing Turkey with monetary promises to go along with war plans.
"The fact that we are trying to buy the vote from Turkey shows our weakness in the effort to go to war," said the Rev. Fred Thelen, a member of group. "We are using threats and blackmail to try and bully other countries."
Thelen added Rogers is failing to represent the portion of Americans who oppose the war.
Regardless of opinion on whether war is necessary, MSU political science Professor Carol Weissert said without Turkey's assistance military efforts would become more difficult.
Weissert said she believes Turkey will eventually agree to allow troops into the vital area.
"They are long-standing allies, they are not going to be easily split up over this," she said.
Weissert said having a Michigan congressman heading this issue will give a lot of visibility to Rogers and the state.
"It's national visibility for the state and recognition for his talent," she said. "His party trusts him to do this, which is positive."
Sarah Frank can be reached at franksa2@msu.edu.
