Time to get the hell out of here? - Page 2

Bereta_Eder · March 21, 2003, 17:42

apo sponta sti stadiou.

katapliktika kai au8ormita

mesos oros ilikias ta 20 i kai xamiloteros

Willem · March 21, 2003, 17:43

Quote:

Originally posted by axi

You sure about that? last time I checked they had about 5.500 lightly armed militia.

One article that got posted around here somewhere put the number at 100,000. It's most definitely more than 5,500.

Bereta_Eder · March 21, 2003, 17:45

Quote:

Originally posted by axi

You sure about that? last time I checked they had about 5.500 lightly armed militia.

I'm not sure. I dont think anyone can be at this point. But it sounds like they are in that scale. But I give no promises, whatsoever and I say it with maximum reservation.

axi · March 21, 2003, 17:57

Quote:

mesos oros ilikias ta 20 i kai xamiloteros

Apeira pipinia, ee??

Today was awful. Extensive use of chemicals by the police. Police brutality incidents, even against minors.

I am calling George Bush to seriously consider toppling Simitis, after he's done with Saddam. He's been gassing his own people too, you know...

Bereta_Eder · March 21, 2003, 18:05

Apeira

But I'm (primarily) saying this in regard to the new generations of Europe. They are down on the streets protesting against american aggression. These will be the citizens of tomorrow and it didnt just happen in Greece you know... it was all over Europe (and the US)

A point of notice was in Nurember (sp?) Nirembergh in Germany. Huge protests with great young spirit and participants. not that we were far behind.

GePap · March 21, 2003, 18:09

All the Kurdish factions together have 70,00 men, most not facing the Turkish border. In any one on one, the turks wil winn, simply do to firepower: the Kurds lack armor, much arty, have no aircraft.

As for leaving: unless oy ulive right along the border, or in Kurdhish areas, Turkey should be safe: unless oje of these "friendly fire" incident the admin. speaks bout in the CNN piece occurs.......

chequita guevara · March 21, 2003, 18:59

Take a vacation to Bulgaria this weekend.

Timexwatch · March 21, 2003, 19:09

Rufus:

If the Turks are so against the U.S. invading Iraq, why would the military invade northern Iraq? Would the Turks favor invading Iraq if it meant keeping the Kurds down?

chequita guevara · March 21, 2003, 19:10

That's why they want to invade. Remember, Turkey's only barely a democracy, the military's an indpendent actor and doesn't take orders from the civilian government and can replace the civilians at will.

GePap · March 21, 2003, 19:11

Quote:

Would the Turks favor invading Iraq if it meant keeping the Kurds down?

That would be the whole point of a Turkish mov into northern Iraq.

Willem · March 21, 2003, 19:13

Quote:

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
That's why they want to invade. Remember, Turkey's only barely a democracy, the military's an indpendent actor and doesn't take orders from the civilian government and can replace the civilians at will.

And apparently the military doesn't like the current government. I heard someone on the CBC say that they were grumbling about a coup for awhile lately.

Bereta_Eder · March 21, 2003, 19:15

There are "mini revolutions" going on in Turkey between the islamic rooted party and the ataturk military.

Go Islamists

Dominikos · March 21, 2003, 20:02

ATTENTION

CNN REPORTS THAT TURKISH FORCES HAVE BEGUN MOVING INTO IRAQ AGAINST AMERICAN WISHES!!

Can anyone confirm?

------------------
~Dominik - Lord of the Putumayo~

Willem · March 21, 2003, 22:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Dominikos

Can anyone confirm?

Nothing has been substantiated as yet, but the CBC has reported that they are on the move as well.

Uncle Sparky · March 22, 2003, 00:35

Dom - See War News Thread. Global Broke the story about 20 mins ago.

Rufus T. Firefly · March 22, 2003, 02:15

Thanks everybody for expressions of concern. As for various quetions asked:

* Anti-war sentiment here hasn't translated into anti-American sentiment, yet. And the Turks strike me as better than most people in distinguishing between ordinary Americans and the Bush administration, since they have a long history of having a government which acts in its own interest rather than the peoples'. Speaking of which...

* The popular opposition to the war here is rooted largely in an objection to US arrrogance, but also partly in a fear of Kurdish terrorism. It's that latter fear that wll make Turks who are afraid of the war support an incursion into N. Iraq. But their support really doesn't matter, because it's Turkey, and the government and miitary will do as they please. However, it does look for the moment that all they are doing is keeping refugees from crossing the border.

* Beyond that, the military does indeed hate the current government, as does the rest of the Turkish establishment (business, the media, etc.). PM Errdogan has been savaged in the press for blowing the negotiations with the US (Powell told him Monday that Turkish bases were unnecessary and Turkey wouldn't be seeing a penny of US aid). So even Erdogan might fall in line now, as a way of re-legitimating his government.

You know what's sounding good right now? Rhodes. Only 75 minutes from the Turkish coast via hydrofoil. Rhodes is sounding really, really nice. Though I also hear good things about Thessalonika...

monolith94 · March 22, 2003, 03:32

In a couple of years, I'm either going to do a foreign exchange to Turkey or France...

Bereta_Eder · March 22, 2003, 13:08

Thessalonika is the city of Love, Rhodes the island of the Knights, take your pick

Prices are bound to be cheap BTW, since it's not summer (1) and the tourism has been somewhat hit (2) - people avoid getting on airplanes now.

Rufus T. Firefly · March 22, 2003, 15:46

Wasn't Thessalonika the "Second City' of the Byzantine Empire? Is it well-preserved?

I love Rhodes, btw; spent some time there a couple of yeras ago.

HershOstropoler · March 22, 2003, 15:55

My only lasting impression of Thessaloniki was getting offered free weed. From there on, it's a bit murky...

Rufus T. Firefly · March 22, 2003, 16:04

Quote:

Originally posted by HershOstropoler
My only lasting impression of Thessaloniki was getting offered free weed. From there on, it's a bit murky...

I'll take that as an endorsement...

axi · March 22, 2003, 16:21

Both cities really great, but Rhodes is a winner for me. Yet the weather is rather chilly and the island will be pretty much deserted this time of year. So Thessaloniki would be a better choice right now. There's more to do there too.