Turkish parliament agrees to send forces to Iraq

The Turkish government has won the pledge yesterday by a vote of the Parliament where the ruling "Justice And Development Party" enjoys great majority, following a close door session, after a governmental request calling for sending Turkish forces to Iraq in order to reinforce the American - British occupation forces there.

This decision is opposed by most of the Turks, but the government justified its decision in that it permits Turkey to have "a say in the reformation of Iraq" and enhances its position towards the Americans, noting the "different" conditions between the current vote and a previous votes took place in March when the Turkish parliamentarians was asked by the USA to deploy its forces in Turkey in order for the USA to attack Iraq from the north, but it also aims, in particular, at maintaining relations with the USA, which welcomed the decision.

Following a close door discussions lasted for two and a half hours, the Turkish parliament approved by a majority of 358 votes against 183 and two absentee. seven parliamentarians did not take part in the vote.

The memorandum sets the period for the deployment of the Turkish soldiers in one year but gave no mention to their number, nor the place of their deployment in Iraq.

Later the government of the prime minister Tayeb Ardoghan will specify these details which are currently discussed with the USA.

Members of the Iraq's interim governing council Mahmoud Othman said that the council unanimously rejects the sending of Turkish forces to Iraq.