Government Will Ask For Permit Not Authorization

The government determined the way it will follow on the issue of sending troops to Iraq. It will ask for a permit - not authorization - from Parliament. The decision of the government, which was taken as a result of long discussions, will reportedly be included in the agenda of Parliament on Tuesday or Wednesday.The government clarified the legal aspect of its decision for sending troops to Iraq. To the contrary of previous discussions, it decided to ask for a permit from Parliament, not for authorization.Two important considerations gave way to this decision of the government. First of all, a law should be issued for an authorization decision, which will both take time and necessitate presidential approval.The second factor behind the decision of the government was the fact that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approaches negatively to the idea of authorization. The new permit, which will be forwarded to Parliament on Tuesday or Wednesday will include the number of troops to be sent and the locations to serve in. The government believes that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) group will fully support the permit and aims at passing the permit from Parliament.Â