Turkey: The Summit ‘OK’ For Troop Deployment

The summit, convened under the supervision of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, evaluated the American request for sending troops to Iraq. A definite decision was not reached. The issue will first be taken up at the Cabinet Council then a final decision will be reached at the National Security Council (MGK) meeting on August 22.

If the decision to send troops is made, reportedly Sezer will not object to the joint decision reached by the government and the military. Sezer had insisted on international legitimacy for previous troop deployment requests. Sezer wants the final decision to be Parliament’s and feels the Parliament should claim political responsibility for the issue. Sezer’s approach to the issue was evaluated as a process intended to reach a democratic decision. Sharing a positive approach to the issue of sending troops, the government and the military tried to convince Sezer on the issue. Stressing a mutual agreement, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the necessary steps would be taken in the interests of both Turkey and Iraq.

At the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, topics of discussion included a ‘map’ outlining political risk prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a military risk analysis by the General Staff, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) reports.