MGK to Give Final Decision on Troop Deployment

A statement following the meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Residence made little reference to the troop deployment issue. However, it was emphasized that ending the instability in Iraq was a major concern of Turkey and that Ankara would determine a policy that took national interests into consideration. The only surprise was the decision for the council to meet in September.

It was also stated MGK meetings regarding the seventh adaptation package to fulfill criteria for European Union (EU) a membership would be held every two months. The statement included a clause, ‘by taking international politics in our region and the world into consideration’, which suggested that a final decision on troop deployment would be taken in September. The emergency parliamentary meeting will be held at the beginning of September or after September 15. The exact date is expected to be announced at the Cabinet Council meeting on Monday.

Apart from troop deployment, the Cyprus and Aegean issues were also discussed and evaluated.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that the troop deployment process continued. Asking how close parliament was to a decision, Erdogan said, "Delegations have been sent and studies have been done. Government will act on this information. The final decision rests with Parliament." He added that due to the seriousness of the matter, the MGK would have to reconvene.

Emine Dolmaci / Ankara / TURKEY