March 02, 2003

Turkish Parliament Nullifies Vote on U.S. Deployment

Turkey's parliament dealt a stunning blow to U.S. war planning Saturday by failing to approve a bill allowing in American combat troops to open a northern front against Iraq.

The decision, which likely will strain ties with Washington, marked a setback to U.S. efforts to show Saddam Hussein that he is surrounded and his neighbors support a U.S.-led coalition.

The parliament vote was 264-250 in favor, with 19 abstentions. But speaker Bulent Arinc said the outcome fell three votes short of the simple majority required by the constitution. He then closed parliament until Tuesday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Gul hastily met with top ministers and party leaders after the vote. Before going in, a visibly shaken and angry Gul said, "We will assess all this."
[...]
... The leaders of Gul's Justice and Development Party are expected to meet Sunday to discuss what action to take.
[...]
The motion would have empowered Turkey's government to authorize the basing of up to 62,000 troops, 255 warplanes and 65 helicopters. In exchange, Washington promised $15 billion in loans and grants to cushion the Turkish economy from the impact of war.

Besides that funding, Turkey also risks losing Washington's support which was crucial in securing billions in loans that rescued the country during an economic crisis in 2001.

The United States has also pushed Turkey's eagerly sought candidacy in the European Union. And if Turkey does not agree to host U.S. forces, it loses a say in the future of neighboring Iraq if there is a war.

That is a critical issue for Turkey, which fears that a war could lead Kurds in northern Iraq to declare an independent state and in turn inspire Turkey's own Kurdish minority.

Nonetheless, Turkey's governing party had difficulty selling the unpopular measure to the Turkish people and could not push through the motion despite its overwhelming majority in parliament.

This is a blow for the US action to liberate Iraq, but we're going to do it with or without Turkey.
I sort of expected them to do this, actually.
Ever since the election of the Islamist Erdogan, things have been strange in Turkey.
(Apparently, the Turks used to disallow "religious" groups like the Islamist AK/Justice Party from putting up candidates for national office, in keeping with Ataturk's secularization of society.
But as they were looking at EU membership, the Turks were told this was "undemocratic" in recent years, so they changed their election laws, with these awful results! They're about one election or coup away from becoming an Islamic theocracy like Iran with shari'a.)
While we're offering them billions, I think the Weasel powers are whispering into their other ear, promising them EU membership and that northern half of Cyprus they covet....
I predict that they will get neither.
And Erdogan may have to face down the Turkish Army (if he can) to wrest control of the country from them!
I'm quite sure that the Turkish military as well as Abdullah Gul (who is having to act for Erdogan who is legally barred from taking office!) are on our side and that sensible Turks know who they're real nation-friends are: that would be America and not Old EUrope!
If this is Turkey's choice, though and they don't get a different vote on Tuesday, then let the chips fall where they may.
We'll save all that money in aid and loans and we can help the Kurds in both Iraq and Turkey attain independence, if not their own state.
Turkey also stands to lose the revenue they get from our bases there and we can always buy our towels somewhere else, as well (a not inconsequential export product for them, I'm sure!).

Afterthought: Does "nullifying" a parliamentary vote sound wonky to anyone else besides me?