In return for support of a possible war against Iraq, Turkey is seeking a number of concessions and assurances from the United States. In addition to a $32 billion dollar economic aid package, Turkey wants to station its troops in Iraqi Kurdistan, to step in to prevent any attempt by Kurds to declare an independent state in the region, or to seize oil fields near Kirkuk and Mosul. Many Kurdish leaders have predicted disastrous consequences if Turkey is allowed to send military forces into Iraqi Kurdistan. Kurdistan Democratic Party officials claim that Turkey is using the pretext of controlling potential refugee floods in order to advance its own military and economic interests; they are concerned that such action could encourage neighboring Iran to send in its troops as well.
