The turkish prime minister did, the parliament was split.
globeandmail.com
shifted teams last week.
Iran...wants Saddam gone...not military action. Walking a tightrope:
rferl.org
turkey:
Turkish politician now supports war
Associated Press
Feb. 5, 2003
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Turkey's leading political figure began preparing the public Tuesday for a possible war, criticizing the Iraqi government and warning that Turkey could put itself at risk by staying neutral in a conflict at its border.
The dramatic shift by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has long emphasized peace with Iraq, came before an expected Friday vote in Parliament that could allow the United States to base thousands of troops in Turkey for an invasion of Iraq.
Erdogan, who is expected to become the next prime minister, faces a battle within his own Justice and Development Party to persuade lawmakers to allow the American troops amid widespread public opposition to war.
"The decisions we make for war are not because we want a war, but so we can contribute to peace as soon as possible," Erdogan said in a speech to lawmakers from his party. "Our moral priority is peace, but our political priority is our dear Turkey." |
