Turkish leader calls US hypocrtical

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Democracy in the Muslim world does indeed brings some great leaders to the fore…:slight_smile:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/862181.asp?0cv=NA01

“This sounds good,” he said in his first appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “But let’s not kid ourselves. “No one is interested in eliminating their own weapons of mass destruction. They’re interested in strengthening their own weapons of mass destruction.” Asked if he was accusing the United States of hypocrisy, Erdogan said: “I meant all the countries in the world. The United States is also included.”

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ouch. i would not have expected this type of a comment from Erdogan himself, particularly in the middle of a concerted US struggle to keep up the semblance of a supposedly united coalition against Iraq. What will be the response of the US admin. to this humiliating statement - particularly considering Turkey’s significant role as a NATO member?

The article goes on to state that, according to Erdogan, Turkey will wait for a decision from the Security Council prior to deciding whether to support military action against Iraq: “The decision which is important for us is the decision of the U.N. Security Council.” …:confused: Where is this supposed united coalition against Iraq that Rumsfeld speaks of, now that even Turkey has chosen to adopt the stance of going by the decision of the Security Council, not the US?

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Recep Erdogan will most likely assume the Prime misntership of Turkey soon, which will be additionally welcome. Its great to see Turkey under its new government working with its Muslim neighbours to seek a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis, and oppose American war mongering. Lets see more of such independent and sensible policies from the new 'Islamist' government of Turkey.

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Turkey hosts antiwar summit](Turkey hosts antiwar summit - CSMonitor.com) Christian Science Monitor 24 Jan 03

DISSENT: Protesters, some with signs saying “no to war” in Turkish, demonstrated in Ankara this week. Polls show 80 percent of Turks oppose the war.

[thumb=A]p6a.JPG[/thumb]

Iraq’s neighbors met in Ankara Thursday, hoping to find ways to avert a war that could rattle the region. By Ilene R. Prusher

ISTANBUL – Turkey gathered several of Iraq’s neighbors, plus regional powerbroker Egypt here Thursday for a high-profile meeting billed as a forum to find ways to avert a US-led war against the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Turkey is the one regional ally whom the Bush Administration has been waiting on to complete its plans, hoping for an official go-ahead to station thousands of US troops here for a ground invasion of northern Iraq. **But as the Pentagon moves closer to implementing plans for an attack on Iraq, Turkey’s discomfort with the concept of allowing its soil to be used for a strike against its neighbor appears to be growing alongside European resistance to the use of force.

Foreign ministers from Iraq’s neighbors Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, who met at a heavily guarded palace-turned-hotel along the Bosporus, were expected to announce late Thursday that a subsequent meeting would be held in Damascus, Syria.**

Turkey has grown increasingly vocal about its reservations about aiding the US in a war against Iraq, a fellow Muslim nation, and has now assumed a role as a regional consensus-maker. But while Turkey’s diplomatic drive throws another kink into the Bush Administration’s war scenarios, Ankara is continuing to cooperate with senior Pentagon officials: Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited here this week amid reports that the the two militaries are already discussing specifics of a US deployment here.
..

Officials in the prime minister’s office say that Turkey cannot be on board without another UN resolution and that the stationing of new troops here would have to be approved by Turkey’s parliament. “We cannot act unilaterally, even bilaterally. There should be a base of international legitimacy for any action in Iraq,” says Ahmet Davutoglu, a policy adviser to Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. “If the answer is ‘no’ in the parliament,” he says of ongoing military cooperation. related to a potential US war in Iraq, “all of these technical developments would be stopped.”

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Good on him. I am SICK of US imperialism and double standards and sucking up to the Israelis. I cant wait for muslims to unite and assert our own agenda with the barbarity and carefree attitude with which the west rules the world at the moment.

Turks are brothers, the Govt can sleep with Israel al day, the people are strong in their iman and know that Islam is above anything as believers.

I esp hate Tony Blairs gleeful smile in supporting the US-this is nothing less then terrorism by the US/GB against innocent muslims in the process of stealing muslim poil and helpling secure the illegitimate state of Israel.

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Turkey Says U.S. Can Upgrade Bases There

So much for all the hula gula about Turkey being apposed to war.

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Yes democracy is very good.

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hey give me $4b and all my base are belong to you..

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *

So much for all the hula gula about Turkey being apposed to war.
[/QUOTE]

This is from the article you linked AJ:

*Gul has said peace was still possible and the government would hold off for more than a week from asking lawmakers to allow U.S. combat troops in the country.

*"The permission we want to get from the parliament today is to prepare some of our ports in case we are compelled in the end and there is a war outside our will," Gul said before the balloting. *

"We have to prepare ourselves for the worst case scenario," he added. *

I read yesterday that the govt has a problem that 4 out of 5 Turks are against the war so you have to ask the question then is this Turkish democracy there to serve it's own peoples or Americans?

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Judge Bhai, you are right, come the Feb 18th the Turkish Parliment will allow the US ground troops there as well.

Though I don't believe when Politicians say they are doing it out of pressure, heck they are doing it to stay in power.

And all the French hyper about being aganist war, it's not the public their government cares, it's the post war deal in Iraq. They basically want more money!

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sometimes i’m too subtle and droll for my own good..

Here’s why Turkey may be double minded

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I think that the point on Turkey has been missed. The US does not need further bases in Turkey to support an attack in Iraq. The announced upgrades to bases could be very long term projects. The Iraq/Turkey border is very mountainous and the roads are very narrow. Moving heavy armor though these roads would be a very slow endeavor. Landing ships at a Turkish port, transporting the equipment overland to a forward base would involve at least 6 weeks, unless it is a force that is already moving. The US has access to at least 3 airstrips inside Kurdish contolled Iraq that would be just as suitable as any base in Turkey. All three of the bases in iraq are more than adequate for c-17 and c-130 transports. Air mobile forces, such as the 101st airborne and German based air cavalry can fly direct into these unimproved air bases without the time and effort of travel through Turkey.

There have been huge transport aircraft movements out of Frankfurt, and no one is quite sure where they have gone. Since these reports surfaced some of the web sites which had been reporting the departures of US aircraft have stopped reporting. I suspect that a lot of European based US forces have been cleaned out of German bases, and will take part in the attack on Iraq. They may be stationed in Turkey on a more long term basis, and moved out of Germany. This would make a stong statement to the Kurds that Turkey is a strong ally, and that the US is serious about having no disruptions to the Turkish economy. It would also hurt the German economy, which is struggling anyway.

Given the concerns about chemical weapons, maintaining some element of suprise as to timing may be important. By looking as if preparations are still ongoing, the US may keep Iraq offguard.

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The Turkish Government has REJECTED Bush’s plans for deployment of troops within their territory. :k:

Turkey’s Parliament rejects basing 62,000 U.S. troops for war against Iraq](http://www.canada.com/news/story.asp?id={A1DAB7DB-8D75-49F9-AC14-E759057E33C6}) Canadian Press

March 01, 2003

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -In a serious blow to U.S. war plans, the speaker of Turkey’s Parliament nullified a legislative vote Saturday that would have allowed deployment of 62,000 U.S. combat troops in Turkey to open a northern front against Iraq.

Bulent Arinc voided the vote on constitutional grounds, ruling that a majority of legislators present had not voted in favour. He then closed Parliament until Tuesday. It was not immediately clear if the governing Justice and Development Party would try for another vote. The vote was 264-250 with 19 abstentions, four short of a simple majority. Washington reserved comment in the immediate aftermath of the see-saw action. But with ships carrying U.S. tanks waiting off Turkey’s coast for deployment, the bill’s rejection was likely to escalate tensions with the United States.

The Bush administration had expected an approval from Turkey, a NATO member and historically strong U.S. ally. In exchange, Washington promised $15 billion in loans and grants to cushion the Turkish economy from the impact of war. Still, Turkey’s governing party, the Islamic-influenced Justice and Development Party, had difficulty selling the unpopular measure to its public and to many lawmakers.

**Polls show as much as 94 per cent of the Muslim-dominated Turkish public opposes a war with Iraq. Before the vote, 50,000 Turks staged an anti-war rally near Parliament as 4,000 police stood guard. They chanted, “No to war” and “We don’t want to be America’s soldiers.” Some carried banners that read: The People Will Stop This War. After the speaker nullified the vote, hundreds of Turks celebrated in the streets, shouting anti-U.S. slogans. **

“We have always said that they cannot carry out policies despite the will of the people,” said Mehmet Agar, the leader of the True Path Party and the party’s only lawmaker in Parliament. “They have created a crisis of confidence.” The motion would have empowered Turkey’s government to authorize the basing of up to 62,000 troops, 255 warplanes and 65 helicopters. In preparation, Washington has thousands of tonnes of military equipment ready to unload at the southern Turkish port of Iskenderun.

Using bases in Turkey would allow the U.S. military to open a possible northern front against Iraq and divide Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s army. Turkish and U.S. generals say the strategy would lead to a quicker and less bloody war. **“President (George W.) Bush has no chance now of carrying out his war plans,” said Sedat Ergin, a commentator for Hurriyet newspaper. “These plans will be pushed back.” **

Hours before the decision, party’s leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan had met with his legislators in a final effort to persuade them to back the U.S. deployment. The party had already bought more time for lobbying by postponing the vote from Thursday to Saturday, fearing the motion did not have enough support.

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Turkey should OK this plan soon, not for the USA, but for the people of Iraq, the people of Turkey and the region and the world. It is a given that the US will attack Iraq unless some major, unimaginable event stops it. Turkey should let the US use their land just so that they can do it right. True, the US can leapfrog Turkey and manage just fine without them.. but for short-term efficiency and long-term stability, Turkey needs to be on board. I myself see this war as unnecessary, but inevitable. In that case one should hope that it follows the best-case scenario and not the worst.

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by spoon: *
Turkey should OK this plan soon, not for the USA, but for the people of Iraq, the people of Turkey and the region and the world. It is a given that the US will attack Iraq unless some major, unimaginable event stops it. Turkey should let the US use their land just so that they can do it right. True, the US can leapfrog Turkey and manage just fine without them.. but for short-term efficiency and long-term stability, Turkey needs to be on board. I myself see this war as unnecessary, but inevitable. In that case one should hope that it follows the best-case scenario and not the worst.
[/QUOTE]
Over 90% of the Turkish people strongly OPPOSE troop deployment so it does not make sense for the Turkish Government to alienate their own people. As for saying that Turkey should support an attack on Iraq for the sake of the Iraqi people and stability within the region well that statement is a JOKE! Any unilateral war will be destructive for millions of people regardless of Turkish involvement and will ultimately render International laws and conventions as meaningless as the UN's role in settling International disputes will become defunct.

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Trukey gives US the finger

Turkey Rejects U.S. Troop Deployment Plan

By LOUIS MEIXLER, Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey - 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 (news - web sites).

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

Prime Minister Abdullah Gul hastily met with top ministers and party leaders after the vote.

"We will assess all this," a visibly shaken and angry Gul said before the meeting.

Gul did not speak after it. Private NTV and CNN-Turk television stations quoted unnamed officials as saying the government was not planning to resubmit the motion to parliament.

Officials were not immediately available for comment. The leaders of Gul's Justice and Development Party are expected to meet Sunday to discuss what action to take.

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

U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson rushed to the Foreign Ministry after the vote.

"We had certainly hoped for a favorable decision," he said. "We will wait for further information and advice from the government of Turkey about how we should proceed."

Turkish lawmakers had faced overwhelming public opposition to basing U.S. troops on Turkish soil. Yet Washington had been so sure of winning approval from close ally and NATO (news - web sites) member Turkey, that ships carrying U.S. tanks are waiting off Turkey's coast for deployment and the U.S. military has thousands of tons of military equipment ready to unload at the southern Turkish port of Iskenderun.

For weeks, the Bush administration had been pressing Turkey to agree to a possible northern front, which would split Saddam Hussein's army between the north and the south, likely making a war shorter and less bloody.

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 (news - web sites). 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.

Polls show as much as 94 percent of the Muslim-dominated Turkish public opposes a war with Iraq. Before the vote, 50,000 Turks staged an anti-war rally near parliament as 4,000 police stood guard. They chanted "No to War" and "We don't want to be America's soldiers." Some carried banners that read: "The people will stop this war."

After the speaker nullified the vote, hundreds of Turks celebrated in the streets of central Ankara, shouting anti-U.S. slogans.

"We are all Iraqis ... We will not kill, we will not die," they chanted. They also accused the Islamic-rooted Justice party of "collaborating" with Washington.

The Justice party was planning to meet Sunday, said Reha Denemec, the party's deputy chairman. "We did not expect these results, but this is a democracy," he said.

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Turkey. :k: :k:

As the Turkish leader said - “Turkey is the only democratic country in the region…The decision is clear. We have to respect this decision, as this is what democracy requires.”

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Unfortunately I think Turkey will be FORCED to change its DEMOCRATIC decision by the UNDEMOCRATIC regime in the US. Hope sincerely I’m wrong, but …

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Awam ki Awaz: *

Unfortunately I think Turkey will be FORCED to change its DEMOCRATIC decision by the UNDEMOCRATIC regime in the US. Hope sincerely I'm wrong, but ...
[/QUOTE]

That may happen, or else they may get the Turkish military to dissolve the Turkish parliament. The American's are desperate to get their own way, and will do desperate things.

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Putin Praises Turkey’s Defiant Posture on US Troops](VOA - Voice of America English News) VOA News 04 Mar 03

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed Turkey’s unwillingness to allow the United States to use Turkish soil in the event of an attack on Iraq. In a meeting with cabinet members at the Kremlin Tuesday, Mr. Putin said Turkey could hardly be expected to make any other decision.

Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Yury Fedotov, has voiced his opposition to a draft U.N. resolution jointly sponsored by Spain, Britain and the United States, that would open the way for war against Iraq. Mr. Fedotov described the proposed resolution as “unfounded,” “unjustified,” and “out of touch with reality.” His comments come just days before the chief U.N. weapons inspector, Hans Blix, is due to present a new report on Iraq’s compliance with U.N. demands that it account for its weapons of mass destruction.

Russia, France and Germany have opposed military action against Iraq, saying weapons inspectors should be given more time to carry out their work in Iraq. Mr. Fedotov noted that Russia has veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council. But he stressed that he hoped Russia would not have to exercise that right.

Another top Russian official was also busy Tuesday in the effort to prevent military action against Iraq. Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov phoned his French and German counterparts to discuss Iraqi efforts to meet U.N. demands that it disarm. Mr. Ivanov is scheduled to travel to London later on Tuesday for talks on Iraq with his British counterpart, Jack Straw. Wednesday, he heads to Paris, where he is expected to continue to press Russia’s opposition to war.