Erdogan: No Surprise Motion this Time

He said the government would be quick to get the authority and that this was what Turkey expected. Interpreting Erdogan’s remarks, AKP officials suggested that the motion could be in parliament next week.

In a meeting behind closed doors, Erdogan and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul briefed deputies about a possible motion date. Gonul advocated the idea that Turkish military presence in Iraq was essential, more so for Turkey than for the U.S., and that it was necessary for Turkey to send troops for the benefit of the country.

Gonul noted that Turkish troops were serving in 28 regions around the world and that having sent troops to Somalia and Korea, Turkey would send troops to Iraq as well.

Erdogan then proposed how government would proceed with an approved parliamentary motion. He said since the March 1 motion was not passed in parliament, Turkey could not take place in Iraq’s restructuring, and was the target of accusations that the U.S. credit was for the motion’s approval.

"We do not need this credit. We won’t accept it if we don’t want it," said Erdogan. Erdogan and Gonul alluded to the motion process, indicating that the government would make a final evaluation, taking into consideration Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul’s impressions of his contacts in U.S. Before the motion is submitted to the Parliament, both the AKP Parliamentary group and the Cabinet Council will hold emergency meetings.

Erdogan, Gul and other minister will brief the AKP deputies. After that, government will the submit motion to parliament for approval. If parliament approves the motion, a summit will convene under the presidency of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, and including Erdogan as well as Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. The final draft of the motion regarding how and when the motion is to be used, will be shaped at this summit.