Turkey Has A New Leader

Fox News | 03-09-03 | Wattsup

[wattsup]

Turkey has just elected a new leader of Parliment. He is a pro US. Military official that says he will fire any official that opposes the stationing of US troops on the border of Iraq.

[Constitution Day]

Excellent.

[Bogey78O]

Expect the left to cry that the US has placed him as a puppet.

[Peach]

Yes, Fox just reported this most excellent news. Good news for the safety of our troops.

[dennisw]

AKA "Regime change".... And they beat Iraq to the punch.

[7 x 77]

Turkey has just elected a new leader of Parliment. He is a pro US. Military official that says he will fire any official that opposes the stationing of US troops on the border of Iraq.

What kind of legistature has people that can be fired?

[Howlin]

Now, on to Germany!

[bart99]

Now if they can just get on with the vote without waiting for another week or two, we'll be fine.

[conservativecorner]

This does simplify things. MEGA BUMP!!

[Peach]

He may have meant any military official who opposes positioning our troops in Turkey. We certainly have the ability to fire military leaders in this country who do not carry out the wishes/commands of our President.

[7 x 77]

I think Turkey should cooperate with us, but this doesn't sound like a very democratic development.

[LibKill]

Good stuff.

Who is he?

[Right_in_Virginia]

The safety of our troops will increase--Turkey's economy will benefit--- and the tide of public opinion will shift toward the US.

Excellent!

[SarahW]

Woo hoo, this seems like good news. Any reason to be worried about this new Turk?

[Peach]

Errr, excuse me but if we had a military leader in this country who did not comply with the wishes/commands of the President, he would be fired. That's democracy my friend.

[Fractal Trader]

Fox News said that the new prime minister vowed to fire anyone from his cabinet who opposed supporting the United States against Iraq.

Last night, they had a special on MSNBC where they talked with the leader of a senior congressional delegation which was in Iraq to help pave the way for US troops and aid.

Turkish Election to Pave Way for Erdogan to Become PM (VOA News)

The head of Turkey's ruling party appears set to win a provincial by-election that would give him a seat in parliament and pave the way for him to become prime minister.

Early returns reportedly show Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party sweeping the vote in Siirt province.

Political observers say if Mr. Erdogan wins, he will likely replace current prime minister Abdullah Gul within days.

Mr. Erdogan was barred from taking part in national elections four months ago because of a past conviction for inciting religious hatred. However, after his Justice and Development Party swept to power, lawmakers voted to change the constitution and allow him to run for office.

His opportunity opened when elections had to be held again in Siirt, where poll results last November were cancelled due to voting irregularities.

If the party leader becomes prime minister, Parliament may reconsider a bill that narrowly failed to pass on March 1, and back his recommendation to allow U.S. troops into Turkey for possible war in neighboring Iraq. The measure would allow U.S. forces into Turkey in return for billions of dollars in grants and loan guarantees.

Mr. Erdogan favors the bill, which also calls for deploying Turkish troops in the Iraqi border region for security reasons

[Puddleglum]

Remember that article posted about a week ago in which some nut professor celebrated Turkey's rejection of stationing US troops as proof that Turkey was the paragon of democracy - the US should be run so well? It would be great to hear from him now.

[Catspaw]

Rollin' rollin' rollin' get those troops a rollin'

[CathyRyan]

The rapid changes taking place, around the world, takes my breath away.

[Peach]

And let me further reply. If, for example, a cabinet member of the Bush administration did not carry out the policy of the administration, I would expect this cabinet member to be fired. It's happened many, many times, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at regarding whether this is a democratic development in Turkey.