Sezer did not oppose sending troops to Iraq

After listening to the government and army, that submitted 10 basic reasons to send troops to Iraq, Sezer embraced the attitude of, “If you activate the democratic process and reach a decision, I will not say anything on that.” Sezer left the decision to the government, by not opposing to the perspective of the government and the army, that reached an agreement on the issue. Sezer only stressed the importance of the coordination and flow of information among the Kiosk, government, and General Staff. No clear calendar was set in the summit regarding the permit.

Sermet Atacanli, the Presidential Speaker, said after the summit, “The possible contribution of Turkey to the international efforts to ensure stability, territorial, and political integrity of Iraq will be shaped after the examinations and coordination of related departments, in line with the national interests, and within the framework of democratic decision-making.” Therefore, Sezer, who stressed “international consensus” before March 1 and during his talks with U.S. President Bush, changed his attitude in the summit in Cankaya yesterday.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, MIT Chairman Senkal Atasagun, and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan, and Baghdad Ambassador Osman Paksut attended the summit meeting that took place under President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at 15.00 o’clock and lasted for 2 hours 10 minutes. After the summit Erdogan and Gul went to the Prime Ministry and evaluated it. The Cabinet meeting, which was announced to gather after the summit, was postponed to August 18. The Cabinet will meet in quake-stricken Adapazari at this date. Adapazari had a big earthquake on August 17, 1999. Gathering here, the Cabinet is making a gesture here. QM Erdogan will inaugurate the double road and mass housing projects.

After the U.S. responded to the questionnaire, the technical details related to the issue of sending troops to Iraq will be tackled in the National Security Board (MGK) meeting on August 22. After this meeting, the Cabinet will finalize the necessary permit to send troops and Parliament will be called on for an extraordinary session in the end of August or beginning of September.

Ways to Persuade Sezer

In the summit, which aimed at persuading Sezer to send troops to Iraq, the government and General Staff summarized the rationale behind such a decision as follows:

1. We should be in the equation. Turkey, that is an important power in her region, should take part in the equation in Iraq. Otherwise, we will face both political and economic losses.

2. Relations with U.S. should not be harmed. Turkey-U.S. relations cannot tolerate another blow after March 1. If Turkey does not send troops to Iraq once again, this will harm the credibility of her seriously.

3. We cannot watch the fire besides us. We have to live with Iraq. If there is fire next to our door, and if developments change every hour, we cannot just watch that. The stability and peace in Iraq is to the advantage of us, more than U.S.

4. We should draw lessons from the past. We should forget about March 1. However we should also draw some lessons from the past. It is not in line with the interests of Turkey to remain inactive when even Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are sending troops.

5. UN decision should not be awaited. It is not clear whether UN will take a decision on the issue or not. We should not remain indecisive while waiting for the decision of UN. A timely decision is the best.

6. U.S. wants us to send troops to Iraq. This was tackled during the visit of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Washington. Turkey is expected to decide in the shortest possible time.

7. We will not be invaders in Iraq. Turkish troops will never be an occupier force in Iraq. We will work to provide peace and infrastructure to Iraq. The attitude of the Turkish troops will inspire others including U.S.

8. Turkish army will undertake any duty assigned to it. There is a riskier situation when compared to the March 1 permit. Because, according to the first permit the troops would go to Northern Iraq. But now they will go to Iraq as a whole. There is risk, hence there is need for a Stability Force. We will go to anywhere unstable. Turkish soldiers have the capacity and capability to perform any task assigned to them.

9. We should get rid of the PKK-KADEK threat. We are in consensus with U.S. on the termination of PKK-KADEK in Northern Iraq. However, if we send troops, the possibility for U.S. to materialize this consensus will be higher.

10. We will determine the number of troops. We sent the questionnaire on technical matters including the possible location of Turkish troops to U.S. the response that will come from Washington will enlighten many points. We will determine the number of troops to be sent in accordance with the conditions in our location.