Erdogan Made Turkey Premier, US Waits on Troops

15/03/2003| IslamWeb

Ruling party leader Tayyip Erdogan was installed as Turkish prime minister Friday, keeping U.S. hopes alive that Turkey might approve deployment of American troops for an invasion of Iraq. But outgoing foreign minister Yasar Yakis indicated that any parliamentary vote on the U.S. troop deal would only occur after a government vote of confidence, meaning a motion was unlikely to be presented until late next week at the earliest.

There is also no guarantee that such a plan, if submitted, would be approved.

Erdogan, who backed a failed attempt to win parliamentary approval for U.S. troops two weeks ago, presented a cabinet list to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Sezer approved the lineup, formally establishing Erdogan as premier with full powers.

The move followed a day of confusion. Erdogan first said he might set up his government Friday, then declared he would not see Sezer, then finally presented his list in late afternoon.

The uncertainty unsettled financial markets, but Erdogan joked to reporters about the "surprise" he had sprung on them.
The United States, which sees a northern front launched from Turkey as key to speeding victory over Baghdad by forcing it to fight on two fronts, has been pressing Ankara for a decision as its troops mass in the Gulf for action that could be days away.

President Bush sent a letter to Erdogan Thursday seeking swift clarification. Erdogan also discussed Iraq in a telephone call with Vice President Dick Cheney.

If the United States abandons plans to use Turkish soil, Turkey will forfeit a vital multibillion-dollar aid package to shield it against the economic impact of war.

PHOTO CAPTION

Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the ruling party, announces that he had been appointed as the prime minister of Turkey, in Ankara, March 14, 2003. Erdogan, leader of Turkey's ruling party, was formally appointed prime minister when President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved a new cabinet. (Re