Erdogan cold toward sending combat troops to Afghanistan

Speaking to a group of Turkish reporters en route to Washington yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed unwillingness to send combat troops to Afghanistan in the wake of US President Barack Obama's call for NATO allies to beef up troop numbers. Erdogan was, however, warm to training the Afghan army. "We could open a center for training Afghan soldiers in Afghanistan," he said. "We could train one Afghan battalion in Turkey and another in Afghanistan. If Afghanistan calls for its police officers to be trained, our police departments are ready." NATO member Turkey is a supporter of the US-led campaign in Afghanistan but Turkish leaders said Ankara wouldn't be sending soldiers for combat purposes, fearing that participation in combat operations could alienate Muslims in Afghanistan and the larger Muslim world. "We have no objective to participate as combat troops in Afghanistan," said Erdogan. "Our ties with the Afghan people are aimed at eliminating deficiencies in terms of logistics in Afghanistan. There is a good dialogue between the Turkish and Afghan peoples. We've made serious investments in regional development there." Last month, Turkey took over the Kabul regional command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for one year, boosting the number of its soldiers from around 900 to 1,750. But unlike other European members of ISAF, Turkey's mission is limited to patrols, and its troops do not take part in combat operations. Asked about Iran's controversial nuclear program, Erdogan reiterated that Turkey opposes nuclear weapons in its region and the world, adding that the issue should be solved through diplomacy and peaceful matters. Stressing the growth of bilateral trade ties, Erdogan said Iran is Turkey's second-biggest natural gas supplier. Afghanistan and the rising international tension over Iran's nuclear program are expected to be major items during Erdogan's meeting with Obama today.