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| Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| Mohja |
| 03/02/03 at 08:10:38 |
| Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops Dexter Filkins in Ankara Sunday March 2, 2003 [url=www.observer.co.uk]The Observer [/url] The Turkish parliament dealt a major setback to the Bush administration's plans for a northern front against Iraq yesterday, narrowly rejecting a measure that would have allowed thousands of American combat troops to use the country as a base for an attack. More Turkish MPs supported the measure than opposed it, but the motion resolution failed because the total of no votes and abstentions exceeded the numbers of votes in favour. Under the Turkish constitution, a resolution can become law only if it is supported by a majority of the MPs present. The final tally was 264 to 251, with 19 abstentions. The defeat stunned American officials, who had been confident that Turkey's leaders would be able to persuade the members of the ruling party to support the measure. American ships had already begun unloading heavy equipment at Turkish ports in anticipation of a favourable vote. The decision came after weeks of negotiations between American and Turkish officials, largely over economic assistance for Turkey in the event of a war with Iraq. The defeat posed immediate military problems for American officials, who have been counting on Turkey's support. However, a senior Pentagon official said the American military would be able to stage the operation without it. |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| panjul |
| 03/02/03 at 12:47:56 |
| [slm] One American Diplomat, when heard that, said in shock, "They did what?!" in front of the journalists and then said, trying to regain composure that the U.S. respects their democratic decision. yeah sure..... the same U.S. that helped oust the democratically elected Islamic party some years ago? |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| sofia |
| 03/02/03 at 18:54:01 |
| Allahu Akbar Granted, I had posted an earlier article that indicated some Turkish MP's were leaning towards not rejecting US troops -- this is grrreat news, masha'Allah. Wish more Muslim countries had a backbone. The best part about this particular vote, is the US's consistent praise of Turkey being the only Muslim "secular" democratic government. Heck, if the west keeps trying to push their version of "democracy" on other Muslim countries, I say, let 'em vote! It won't always come out the way the west would like. As long as Turkey doesn't overturn this vote (they admittedly have a lot of other things to worry about, but I hope iA they pust their trust in Allaah), and doesn't go overboard in trying to win back the US's good side, I love Turkey. :) |
| 03/02/03 at 18:56:06 |
| sofia |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| bhaloo |
| 03/02/03 at 21:06:40 |
| [slm] This was certainly welcome news, alhumdullilah. I was watching on the news that 9 out of 10 people in Turkey are opposed to war on Iraq. So I don't even know how it was so close. Also on the plus side, the news said it would take the US 3 extra weeks to reposition its soldiers if they aren't using a TUrkish front. From what I understand the US wants to go to war before the month of march is up because otherwise the dessert heat will be difficult for them to fight in. I too wish other countries had the backbone to stand up to the terrorism that America is committing. First Islamist protest against AK Party About 3,000 Islamists gathered outside of Beyazit Mosque following Friday prayers to protest an Iraq war, and the stance of AK Party shouting "Imperialist USA" and 'We won't be USA's soldiers.' They also hung banners saying 'Don't fear the USA, fear Allah' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) tries to present the decision to permit deployment of American forces to Turkish soil as a "state decision" by delaying a vote in Parliament to Saturday, the first Islamist protest against AK Party was held in Istanbul yesterday. In Istanbul, about 3,000 people gathered outside a mosque following Friday prayers to protest an Iraq war, shouting "Imperialist U.S.A." and "We won't be U.S.A.'s soldiers." They also hung banners reading "Don't fear the U.S.A., fear Allah." Islamists rushed into squares one day before the discussion about the motion on deployment of foreign troops and the dispatch of Turkish troops in Parliament. Some 3,000 people who gathered after Friday prayer in Beyazit square in Istanbul, held a demonstration to protest the AK Party and the U.S. Demonstrators who performed Friday prayer in Beyazit Mosque, said Allahuekber and walked to the square. About 200 women demonstrators joined the others in the square and the group hung banners with the slogan "Muslims are brothers. Don't share in wildness" and "Don't fear the U.S. but God" on the gate of the mosque. Most of slogans were against the AK Party. During the demonstration, the group shouted slogans such as "Tayyip, don't cause our patience to come to an end", "Murderer U.S., collaborationist AKP", "Don't bargain on our brothers' blood", "We don't want a collaborationist government", "Muslims don't submit to injustice", "We won't become hired assassins", "Iraqi public is not alone" and "Murderer U.S. get out the Middle East". The AKP was harshly criticized in the speeches. Islamist journalist-writer Abdurrahman Dilipak addressed the AKP leader Erdogan and asked him to not allow Turkish soldiers to be sent to Iraq and to not support the U.S. He stated that the AKP deputies would be losers if they didn't listen to the public and said, "If the body of a Turkish soldier is brought to this mosque in the next days, all hell will break loose. Then no parliamentarians can walk on the streets. If the AKP deputies say 'yes' to the war while the public shouts 'no' on the streets, this means they are obstinate and they will lose. Here we say to them 'don't cause the death of our brothers, don't help the heartless'. Then they will be against you and the cost of the war will be worse." At the end of his speech, Abdurrahman Dilipak said that religious functionaries in Istanbul would prepare a notice to explain that such a war is against the soul of Islam and send it to Ankara. Professor Ahmet Agirakca said, "Here I address the deputies. Mothers and fathers who will loose their children in Iraq, will curse you. If you vote 'yes' in Parliament, you won't be chosen again. Don't listen to party leaders and say 'no' to the U.S." "No To War Platform" spokesman Tayfun Mater invited everyone to the anti-war meeting that will be held today in Ankara. The Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) Chairman Bulent Yildirim compared the attack of the U.S. on Iraq with the Crusades. Demonstrators, who burned huge U.S. and Israeli flags by saying Allahuekber, left Beyazit square after performing a prayer. Police prepared for anti-war demonstration in Ankara On the other hand, police in Ankara have taken strict security measures to handle an anti-war demonstration expected to take place in the capital city today. Labor unions and other nongovernmental organizations have called on people to take to the streets on the first day of March to protest a looming U.S.-led war on Iraq. Ankara Police Directorate officials said no policemen would be on leave on Saturday and all of them, except a smaller group that would stay at the headquarters, would be on the streets to make sure that no incidents would take place during the demonstration. In Istanbul, a previous anti-war rally turned into a demonstration in support of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan. Some of the demonstrators threw stones and smashed windows of nearby shops. "PKK supporters want to exploit the anti-war sentiments in the public," said a high-level police official to the Anatolia news agency, and warned demonstrators to be careful against any provocation. Some 5,000 police will be on the route that the demonstrators will take during the demonstration. They are due to meet other demonstrators coming from other provinces at the Ankara Hippodrom first and march on to Sihhiye, where the rally is set to take place. The rally will take place on the same day that Parliament will convene to vote on a government motion authorizing deployment of U.S. combat troops on Turkish soil ahead of a war in Iraq. Istanbul / Ankara - Turkish Daily News |
| 03/02/03 at 21:08:05 |
| bhaloo |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| Halima |
| 03/03/03 at 04:07:34 |
| I watched the news of the Turkish rebuff live on CNN and Sky News. It was a wonderful and a source of pride too. I hope they will stand by this decision if they have to vote again. But what saddens me a lot is the Arab Governments. Allahu Akbar! For them to be divided at a time like this over an issue which will affect them tremendously??? Inna Lillah Wainna Lillah Rajiuun!!! Subhanallah!!! If anybody needs BACKBONE it is the Arab Governments. I wish we could give it to them. When this Iraq crisis is over (which ever way it goes), they will go down in HISTORY as COWARDS. [wlm] Halima |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| BrKhalid |
| 03/03/03 at 04:18:55 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum [quote]I was watching on the news that 9 out of 10 people in Turkey are opposed to war on Iraq. So I don't even know how it was so close[/quote] Turkey will receive $15bn in aid and loans from the US if it allows the deployment. [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2812175.stm[/url] When is a bribe not a bribe? Answer: When its called aid and loans which can be withdrawn any time the debtor steps out of line. Oh sheesh was that too cynical of me? |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| Halima |
| 03/04/03 at 01:35:36 |
| [quote][/quote] When is a bribe not a bribe? Answer: When its called aid and loans which can be withdrawn any time the debtor steps out of line. Oh sheesh was that too cynical of me? [quote][/quote] NOOOO..... You just called a spade, a spade and NOT a big spoon! Which is refreshing, for a change!!! Halima |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| BrKhalid |
| 03/04/03 at 05:49:25 |
| Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]Washington has strongly hinted that $15bn in American grants and loans to Turkey agreed in exchange for receiving the troops will now not be delivered - a worry that sent Turkish stock markets plunging on Monday[/quote] [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2816919.stm[/url] |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| bhaloo |
| 03/05/03 at 01:47:41 |
| [slm] Published on Monday, March 3, 2003 by the Times/UK 'Serves Rude America Right' by Suna Erdem NESRIN ALOGLU, a bank clerk, is delighted that Turkey’s parliament has thrown Washington’s plans for an attack on Iraq into disarray by blocking the deployment of US troops. “Serves them right. Now they can apologise.” Apologise, she said, for the way in which the United States so rudely took Turkey for granted and issued threats, insults and ultimatums when it did not get what it wanted. In rejecting Washington’s demands, the recession-hit country is turning its back on US aid worth more than $20 billion (£13 billion). But Turks still support the parliament’s decision. “At least it’s cleared Turkey’s name and dispelled the image abroad that Turkey can be bought,” Zafer Dorttas, a 27-year-old customs official, said. Ordinary Turks were incensed by US media references to haggling in a carpet shop and by what they saw as insulting American behaviour. The final straw came when a series of American newspaper cartoons were broadcast. They depicted Turkey as a money-grabbing belly dancer, or a prostitute bargaining for the price of its favours. “I can’t tell you how awful I felt when I saw the cartoons,” Ayse Akin, a student, said. “They were so deeply insulting. America can stick its money and its troops up its backside.” :o |
| Re: Shock blow to Bush as Turkey snubs US troops |
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| ahmeth |
| 03/10/03 at 09:01:33 |
| This will change soon...US Army will have free entrace to Turkey... |
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