Turkish Parliament Speaker Says Troop Vote Rejected

Reuters ^

[RCW2001]

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's parliament speaker said on Saturday a motion to allow U.S. troops into the country for a possible war in Iraq had been rejected, a member of parliament told reporters. The issue is crucial to U.S. military plans and Turkey's relations with Washington.

The vote, carried out behind closed doors, ended with 264 votes for and 251 votes against with 19 abstentions -- an apparent slim victory for the government.

But the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) challenged the result on the grounds that the government had not won the 267 votes needed to represent a majority of the 534 lawmakers present in the assembly.

The government must now decide whether to try to present a similar resolution to the assembly again and gather the few votes it needs.

The resolution, which would also have cleared the way for dispatching Turkish troops to Iraq in case of war, had drawn widespread opposition in Turkey.

Fearing the economic and political impact of any conflict on its borders, Ankara had been reluctant to agree to any role in the war. Rejection of Washington's request will however deprive Turkey of U.S. financial support and a say in the future of northern Iraq, where Turkey has key interests.

U.S. ships are currently waiting with supplies off Turkey's Mediterranean coast to unload. For months Ankara and Washington have been working on an agreement which was expected to include some $6 billion in U.S. grants for Turkey and some $24 billion in loan guarantees.

[willgetsome]

You don't know that.

Did we have a Northern front in '91? Is Iraq as strong as it was in '91?

No and No.

Rumsfeld told the President that he's ready to execute the mission now. My thinking is that the Northern Front was designed as an extra cushion to buffer Turkey from the Kurds.

[RoseofTexas]

The leftists in the U.N. are going bananas right now.

Excuse my ignorance here, but WHY would they be soooo happy about Turkey's vote? I don't get it, they are probably rejoicing that another country that is so vital to this war has turned us down again, and again X again?!

[tomahawk]

Correct. The Admin Mod has locked the correct news story and is allowing posting to this erroneous one.

[TexKat]

Okay waiting waiting waiting to hear US response to this. What is plan B. Sitting here with my son, packing up his belongings to put in storage before he ships out. Tick, tick, tick, has turned into waiting, waiting, waiting.

[justshe]

Nor would I....but I wouldn't risk MANY things some of these countries risk. :-)

[clintonh8r]

Uh...It isn't that simple. This prevents the opening of a northern front which, besides the obvious tactical advantages, would also protect and organize the Kurds, discourage the Turks from filling a battlefield vacuum and creating a post-war governance problem. Simply moving troops and supplies through Kuwait instead of Turkey accomplishes none of this. Get it now?

[timydnuc]

The leftist press will go for the vote tally. They will never understand that Turkey is a democracy. Majority rules! These hypocritical lefties ("Useful Idiots") still claim that Clinton's victory in '92 was a huge 'majority', when in fact it was a slight 'pleurality'. I'm surpized that they don't want to count the 'hanging, pregnant, and or defaced chads' of the 19 abstentions.

When the majority rules, evil always comes out on the bottom.

[Dolphy]

The Turks have some version of a democracy and 80% of their people oppose military action. We or their government didn't win the battle of public opinion. I guess they didn't think much of us going to battle with NATO on their behalf. And it wasn't all about money either, this just as well could have broken down over troop deployment in Iraq. I am happy not to have their conflicting agenda involved there.

Regardless, who cares? Save the money, pull the offer from the table, and let them turn to France, Germany and Russia for their future assistance. This isn't vindictive, this is just reality, at some time you must pay the complete price for who you get in bed with.

[Diddle E. Squat]

I wouldn't be surprised if someone fromt the Clinton squad has been on the phone with the Turkish opposition pushing them to contest this vote and its meaning.

[EGPWS]

You don't know that. Did we have a Northern front in '91? Is Iraq as strong as it was in '91? No and No.

Simple logistics will show that my mindset is proper to one that "logically looks at the overall picture of the foreth comming battle in Iraq anyway".

If you recall, in '91 the prime directive was liberating the country of Kuwait NOT the country of Iraq. Check your atlas..Kuwait borders Iraq on the South.

[Dog Gone]

I'll be very interested to hear the US reaction to this.

[willgetsome]

Get it now?

Yes I do. Rumsfeld said everything is ready to go "now". Should I believe Rumsfeld or some guy named "clintonh8r" on FreeRepublic?

Easy choice.

[El Gato]

Let's hope they don't know the Florida recount move.

Apparently they do.

[RobFromGa]

This is a pretty dumb move by Turkey if it plays out NO, but we will control Northern Iraq anyway without their help. I guess they think they will have better relations with New Iraq if they stay on Saddam's side. Not too bright.

I would like to hear more about the 19 abstains, were they poilitically calculated abstains, and how would they vote if they HAD to.

Also, one more question, what is the outcome in the US House or Senate with a similar vote. Say, in the Senate, 49-47 FOR with 4 abstains. Does it pass?

[willgetsome]

"If you recall, in '91 the prime directive was liberating the country of Kuwait NOT the country of Iraq. Check your atlas..Kuwait borders Iraq on the South."



Check your facts, Iraq doesn't have the military force today that it had in '91.

[clintonh8r]

What would you expect him to say, "we're not ready"?

[ez]

The silver lining here, if this indeed has NOT passed, is Turkey now has no claim to the northern oilfields and Kirkuk, and our cooperation with the Kurds should be strengthened. If Turkey passes on this chance to jump onboard, they are fools.

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

Motion Rejected As Absolute Majority Is Not Reached

Anadolu Agency: 3/1/2003

ANKARA - The prime ministry motion on sending soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey was rejected as ''absolute majority'' was not reached in voting on Saturday.

Article 96 of the Constitution titled ''Quorums Required for Sessions and Decisions'' says that ''Unless otherwise stipulated in the Constitution, the Turkish Grand National Assembly shall convene with at least, one-third of the total number of members and shall take decisions by an absolute majority of those present.''

---

-At least the Turks have some sort of a constitution. Though I'm furious for their resulting vote on this important matter.-

[Diddle E. Squat]

Apparently Chad didn't vote.