Turkey Official: Agreement on Troop Deal

AP ^ | February 21, 2003 | HARMONIE TOROS

[Dog Gone]

Three of us posted this story within about 30 seconds of each other, LOL.

This sounds like pretty good news. A few more details to work out, and the little matter of getting the Turkish Parliament to approve it.

[RobFromGa]

This is good news. We welcome the Turkish support. This standoff has been difficult to understand but it is time to put it behind us and move forward together to liberate Iraq.

[Beck_isright]

This was a no brainer. I guess now the leftist media will have to focus on Jordan and Russia as being "pressured" by the Bush administration now to allow the war to proceed.

[a_Turk]

Stick a fork in it... Almost done.

[demlosers]

Yeah, time to unload the 101st and 4 ID's stuff.

[demlosers]

Stick a fork in it... Almost done.

Waiting for the last laugh hehe...

[Grampa Dave]

I wonder how the pro Islmofascist/Kazi Reuters will write up this reality.

This past week and up to yesterday, they were turning out massive BS articles about how Turkey was walking away as our ally.

Turkey need some reassurances and protection. Nato caved in to the Turks, and we will pay for the Turk's help. We payed every ally in WWII and the Cold War to support us.

[geedee]

I wonder if what I read on another thread had anything to do with this "agreement?" It's the one about our post-Saddam plans where the U.S. military would govern Iraq for a time, then turn it over to a U.S. civilian -- maybe a former governor or ambassador -- then slowly changing over to Iraqi control after a period. The article was pretty blunt . . . evidently GW's told Iran and others who might want Iraq's oil to bite a big one. He's also told the Iraqi exiles they won't be installed on any thrones anytime in the near future.

I wonder what all this had to do with this agreement?

[geedee]

Hey, you're still around. I was afraid you mighta let them bad 'ol Canadians run you off yesterday. LOL.

[tomahawk]

God bless our Turkish allies.

[thepainster]

I knew Turkey would be there in the end. It was just a matter of you guys looking out of the best interest of your own country when you have the most leverage.

It reminds me of sitting around in one of the carpet merchants shops in Istanbul. I would sit around and drink the tea, while my wife would do all the haggleing. Man she loved to haggle. She is definitely the Colin Powell of our family!

[geedee]

Hey, could you give us -- or at least me in a FReep mail if you think it doesn't apply enough to this thread -- a quick run-down on Turkey's form of government? I mean the reality of it and not the theoretical BS.

For example, how does the military affect decisions in Turkey? And the various religious sects? Anything like that. I've never been able to get a handle on the machinations behind the Turkish system.

Just something short and sweet for an idiot from West Texas would be appreciated.

[PhiKapMom]

Found it interesting this morning that the troops headed for Turkey are on layover in Romania not in Germany!

Figured Turkey would be with us in the end -- too many years of being allies to let something go sour now.

[geedee]

I've already told you welcome aboard once, but I'd like to welcome you again. You've got the, metaphorically speaking, gonads to be a good FReeper. We need all the help we can get.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Call up Colin and have him put her on the job. Sounds like she would get us a good deal.

[PhiKapMom]

Knew Turkey would be right there with us. They have been our ally for years and that was not going to change. Also believe the press made this bigger than it was!

Don't blame Turkey one bit for seeking the best deal they can get under the circumstances.

[geedee]

Found it interesting this morning that the troops headed for Turkey are on layover in Romania not in Germany!

LOL. I noticed that too. GW ain't no diplomat, huh? I hope ALL the leftist-elites continue to underestimate him.

[RonF]

Don't blame Turkey one bit for seeking the best deal they can get under the circumstances.<.i>

Last time I checked that was the American way ....

[a_Turk]

It's a parliamentary democracy where the president is a figurehead who can veto constitutional amendments.

The prime minister hols the power, but must submit bills to the parliament, where a vote is taken to accept or deny the bill. Simple majority on most issues, but I think it's 2/3 for constitutional stuff.

Everyone is elected and the parliament made up from regional representatives just like th US house.

There is no Senate.

Men and women are both eligible to vote, and to hold office.

There is no discrimination, according to the constitution, based on the various differences between the citizens: sex, color, creed, etc.

There is a problem with term limits.

The military guarantees the secular nature of the republic.

The military is vocal about its opinions, but is also reserved enough not to take center stage unless absolutely necessary.

The terror situation has led to the creation of security courts which operate in addition to the other regular courts. Security courts have two civilian and one military judge sitting.

How's that?