TURKIYE- Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on Turkish Parliament’s rejection of a proposal on Saturday that would have allowed US troops to be stationed in Turkey to open a northern front against Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:
Parliament’s overturning a vote on Saturday that would have greenlighted deployment of US troops in Turkey for a possible northern front into Iraq created a great deal of excitement in the country as well as the international community. Parliament’s decision was no doubt the reflection of the national will on which no one could place any reservations. Yet everyone is free to express his or her comment on possible outcomes of the decision.
Those who are now pleased with the decision argue that Parliament’s rejection of the motion was a victory of democracy, the popular sovereignty and the anti-war stance over imperialism, the US’ aggressive attitude towards the world and possible bloodshed in Iraq. Some even claim that Turkey did what no other state could ever dare to do.
There are also certain circles who think that Saturday’s vote is very likely to bring about grave consequences for Turkey. They say that the decision has made it impossible for Turkey to prevent the establishment of a federal regime in post-Saddam era and protect the ethnic Turkmen population in northern Iraq. Moreover, they add that Turkey has inflicted a serious damage on its strategic partnership with the US, a damage which would surely have adverse repercussions for our country. When it comes to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), nearly one-third of the AKP deputies voted against the motion and showed their strong resentment with the party’s leadership and administrative cadres. In no democratic regime a government party like this one can rule and implement its policies. The AKP government should send another urgent proposal to Parliament concerning the deployment of US troops on Turkish soil and make sure that it be accepted this time. Otherwise the AKP has to step down from government at once. Moreover, the government has failed to inform its deputies on how critical the situation was. The parliament speaker acted as if he was the leader of the opposition, and the National Security Council (NSC) preferred to remain ‘silent’ about an issue so crucial to the country’s interests.
Debates over Parliament’s historic decision seem likely to continue for a while both in Turkey and abroad.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION