Turkish Speaker Nullifies U.S. Troop Vote

[Sabri Oncu <soncu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are 550 MPs in the National Assembly and yes votes were
less than 275. Now I am proud of Turkey.

Sabri

+++++++++

Turkish Speaker Nullifies U.S. Troop Vote
3 minutes ago

By SUZAN FRASER, Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey's parliament speaker nullified the
legisature's vote Saturday to allow deployment of 62,000 U.S.
combat troops to open a northern front against Iraq (news - web
sites), saying a majority of those in the chamber had not voted
in favor.

The vote was 264-250 with 19 abstentions.

Speaker Bulent Arinc said nullified the vote after it was
challenged by the opposition.

The Turkish constitution demands a majority of those present must
vote in favor for a bill to pass.

The vote Saturday was four short of a simple majority.

Arinc closed parliament after the vote until Tuesday.

The bill's rejection is likely to seriously increase tensions
with the United States which had been expecting a positive vote.

The motion would have empowered the government to authorize the
basing of up to 62,000 troops, 255 warplanes and 65 helicopters.



~~~~~~~
PLEASE clip all extraneous text before replying to a message.