Parliament Authorises Government's Cross-Border Operations

The vote on authorising a one-year period of operations across the border into Northern Iraq was voted on in parliament today (17 October). The debate began at 3 pm and the vote was at 5.30 pm. In the open ballot, 526 votes were counted as valid.

507 MPs voted for, and 19 against an authorisation. 

DTP and ÖDP oppose operations 

All the parliamentary political group leaders spoke before the vote. All except for Selahattin Demirtas from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) spoke about the necessity for military operations and expressed their opinions on their extent.

CNNTürk reported that Ufuk Uras, MP for the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), has openly opposed an authorisation. 

DTP: 24 years of operations have not solved the issue 

The first to speak was Demirtas from the DTP. He argued that 24 years of military operations had not solved the issue. He announced that his party would oppose the authorisation and called for "peace and democracy" instead.

He spoke of the need for mutual trust in order to live together and protect the country's unity and integrity. "The suffered pain is a suffered pain. With operations, there will be more poverty, more unemployment, less democracy and fewer freedoms." 

CHP: Fight against terrorism is a national issue 

Then Sükrü Elekdag of the opposition Republican's People Party (CHP) spoke. According to him, the CHP had long pushed for military operations in Northern Iraq and the party would vote for the authorisation: "The fight against terrorism is a national issue and we will cooperate with the government on this issue." 

MHP: Better late than never 

Deniz Bölükbasi of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) criticised the government and Prime Minister Erdogan for not carrying out military operations sooner. "Better late than never", the party announced that it would vote for the authorisation, despite the fact that the MHP considered it "limited politically and militarily".

"If the aim is to end PKK existence in Northern Iraq, then operations have to be evaluated not temporarily but to that extent. The authorisation does not mention Northern Iraq's political structuring."

Bölükbasi argued that the authorisation needed to support economic and political investment in the Northern Iraqi government. 

AKP: Aware of consequences 

Nihat Erhan spoke for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). He said that the government had tried to solve the problem of "terrorism" diplomatically, and that the current move was being made with full awareness of the difficulties and responsibilities it entailed. 

Cicek: Patience has run out  

Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesperson Cemil Cicek then said that "patience had run out" and that "the fight against terrorism was state business." He added that the fight was multi-dimensional and that the military operation represented one part of it. He added, "A solution can only be discussed among people who agree on the definition of terrorism." 

Rationale for authorisation 

The authorisation has been justified with the argument that Turkey is faced with serious terrorist attacks and clear threats coming from the PKK, who is hiding in Iraq's northern region, and which is targeting the people's peace and security, and the nation's unity, security and territorial integrity.

"Turkey places great importance in protecting the territorial integrity, national unity and stability of Iraq, which is a friend and brother. Turkey has long put great political and diplomatic efforts into ensuring that the PKK terrorists' presence and activities in Northern Iraq are ended. It has not been possible for us to achieve those results yet."

"The cabinet has decided to ask the Turkish Grand National Assembly for a one-year authorisation, following Article 92 of the Constitution and within the  international legal frameworks to send and commission members of the Turkish Armed Forces into the northern region of Iraq, where PKK terrorists are hiding, as well as contiguous areas, in order to eliminate the threat of terrorism and attacks coming from Iraq's north into our country. This is a part of the fight against terrorism and the terrorist attacks and threats facing Turkey. The border, extent, amount and time will be determined by the government." (EÜ/NZ/AG)