Turkey, having the friendliest U.S. relations in the Middle East, faces a choice that could put the country in the middle of another war with Iraq.
America is attempting to broker a deal, exchanging $24 billion in grants and loans for permission to use the country, which borders Iraq, as a base for 62,000 troops.
On the verge of a decision, many Turks living in the United States fear for their native country and feel torn over America's involvement.
Regional Turkish students gathered Thursday to celebrate their country during these tense times and discuss the deal offered by their host country. The Turkish Student Association kicked off a four-day film festival with a reception in the Arizona Ballroom of the Memorial Union.
According to a recent poll from The New York Times, 83 percent of Turks oppose allowing U.S. troops to station in Turkey. Though many, like Turkish native Ali Iyigun, believe that as the United States escalates its pressure on Iraq, Turkey's involvement is inevitable.
"We just want this war started and ended as soon as possible," Iyigun said.
Iyigun moved to the United States to go to college and is a sophomore at Mesa Community College. He said his friends and family who live in Turkey want change in the totalitarian rule over Iraq but don't want to rush into war.
Tolga Duman, an electrical engineering professor and Turkish native, was also present at the reception. Duman said he wants his home country to figure out the best way to solve the issues with Iraq with minimal consequences.
"I don't know that anything good is going to come out of this, but maybe something bad is going to go away," Duman said about working toward eliminating problems in Iraq.
Mustafa Kaynak, an electrical engineering doctoral student, said although the majority of Turkish people are opposed to a war with Iraq, he thinks there is no way to stop it from happening.
"Hopefully this can be resolved peacefully, in a very short time," Kaynak said. "I just want to get it over."
Reach the reporter at benjamin.honingford@asu.edu.
