Turkish Parliament to discuss options on northern Iraq tomorrow
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ekim 16, 2007 12:42
In Ankara yesterday, a meeting of the Council of Ministers moved to send the bill which would give the go ahead for the Turkish military to engage in over the border activity in northern Iraq to the Turkish Parliament (TBMM) for a vote.
The motion, which has not been approved yet by the TBMM, defines the target of such over the border operations as "northern Iraq and its neighboring areas." The TBMM is expected to debate the bill tomorrow in a closed session.
In the meantime, Iraqi Deputy President Tarik El Hashimi has made a surprise visit to Ankara today, and will be meeting with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. It is anticipated that El Hashimi will relate the Baghdad administration's opposition to possible Turkish intervention in northern Iraq.
Emerging from the 5.5 hour long meeting of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said yesterday "Inshallah we will not need to implement this motion," referring to the bill which has now come before the TBMM for debate. Cicek did also note yesterday that neither the US nor the EU were taking "satisfying" steps against PKK action, and confirmed "This bill is aimed at the PKK terror organization. There is no other faction which is targeted....."
In the meantime, Iraqi Deputy President Tarik El Hashimi has made a surprise visit to Ankara today, and will be meeting with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. It is anticipated that El Hashimi will relate the Baghdad administration's opposition to possible Turkish intervention in northern Iraq.
Emerging from the 5.5 hour long meeting of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said yesterday "Inshallah we will not need to implement this motion," referring to the bill which has now come before the TBMM for debate. Cicek did also note yesterday that neither the US nor the EU were taking "satisfying" steps against PKK action, and confirmed "This bill is aimed at the PKK terror organization. There is no other faction which is targeted....."