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Parliament convenes to vote on cross-border military operations
Parliament convened on Wednesday to vote on a motion seeking a one-year extension of a parliamentary mandate to conduct military operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government submitted the motion to the Parliament Speaker's Office last week in the wake of escalating acts of terrorism by the PKK, which have claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, policemen and civilians in recent months. Terrorist attacks and open threats -- which target the peace and security of the Turkish people as well as the national unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and which stem from terrorist PKK elements based in northern Iraq -- are continuing, the government said in the motion sent to the legislature.
Before the voting began in Parliament, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu paid a visit to Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Although reports said Davutoğlu's visit was to discuss the cross-border motion, the foreign minister, who spoke to reporters at the end of the meeting, denied these reports and said his visit was to inform the main opposition party about a number of foreign policy issues.
While the AK Party, the CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) were expected to vote in favor of the motion, the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) announced that it would vote against it. Speaking at a news conference in Parliament before the start of the voting session, BDP parliamentary group deputy chairman Hasip Kaplan announced that the BDP would say no to the cross-border motion. As the BDP bloc, we unanimously say no to the war motion. Some of our deputies will make a symbolic appearance in Parliament today, and they will vote against the motion, Kaplan said.
He also said the Kurdish problem, which the BDP sees as Turkey's most important problem, is not a problem of security or terrorism, but a problem that has social, cultural and historical dimensions. The solution to this problem should be found in Parliament through peaceful and democratic means, he said, adding that Parliament should not debate a motion to make war its primary duty, but should work toward finding a peaceful solution.
The cross-border operations motion was first brought to Parliament in 2007 and has since been extended three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The current resolution providing the legal basis for operations expires on Oct. 17, and with the motion currently sent to Parliament the government is seeking permission for cross-border operations for another year.
Parliament convenes to vote on cross-border military operations
Turkish Parliament votes on cross-border raids - Hurriyet Daily News
Parliament convened on Wednesday to vote on a motion seeking a one-year extension of a parliamentary mandate to conduct military operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government submitted the motion to the Parliament Speaker's Office last week in the wake of escalating acts of terrorism by the PKK, which have claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers, policemen and civilians in recent months. Terrorist attacks and open threats -- which target the peace and security of the Turkish people as well as the national unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, and which stem from terrorist PKK elements based in northern Iraq -- are continuing, the government said in the motion sent to the legislature.
Before the voting began in Parliament, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu paid a visit to Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Although reports said Davutoğlu's visit was to discuss the cross-border motion, the foreign minister, who spoke to reporters at the end of the meeting, denied these reports and said his visit was to inform the main opposition party about a number of foreign policy issues.
While the AK Party, the CHP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) were expected to vote in favor of the motion, the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) announced that it would vote against it. Speaking at a news conference in Parliament before the start of the voting session, BDP parliamentary group deputy chairman Hasip Kaplan announced that the BDP would say no to the cross-border motion. As the BDP bloc, we unanimously say no to the war motion. Some of our deputies will make a symbolic appearance in Parliament today, and they will vote against the motion, Kaplan said.
He also said the Kurdish problem, which the BDP sees as Turkey's most important problem, is not a problem of security or terrorism, but a problem that has social, cultural and historical dimensions. The solution to this problem should be found in Parliament through peaceful and democratic means, he said, adding that Parliament should not debate a motion to make war its primary duty, but should work toward finding a peaceful solution.
The cross-border operations motion was first brought to Parliament in 2007 and has since been extended three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The current resolution providing the legal basis for operations expires on Oct. 17, and with the motion currently sent to Parliament the government is seeking permission for cross-border operations for another year.
Parliament convenes to vote on cross-border military operations
Turkish Parliament votes on cross-border raids - Hurriyet Daily News
