Limit to Another Motion is Political Ethics

Constitutional analyst Prof. Dr. Zafer Uskul of Istanbul’s Yeditepe University said the rejected motion for allowing tens of thousands of United States (U.S.) troops in Turkey could be resubmitted to the parliament as it is. The degree to which the motion can be changed before being resubmitted to the parliament is limited with political ethics, Uskul told.

"The motion to be sent to the parliament could allow the U.S. troops to use Turkish bases and move into Iraq from air, instead of allowing the basing of U.S. troops," Uskul told Bianet.

"Someone needs to tell the U.S. to give up"

Uskul said according to the constitution, the rejected motions may not be resubmitted to the parliament for a year. There is no such limitation for parliamentary decisions, he said.  Uskul continued:

* It would be politically incorrect for the government to ignore the parliament's decision and resubmit the motion.  Resubmitting the motion to the parliament after making small changes on it would be to make their way around national will.

* They need to tell the U.S., "Like the whole world, my people and my parliament do not feel this war is legitimate. You should give up on it." But there is a chance that the parliament will approve the basing of U.S. troops in Turkey.

* It is against the constitution to discuss the issue in parliament before the United Nations decides on a war. But there are no sanctions for that. This is a political decision and as a result, those in the parliament may not get any votes in the next elections. (OG/BB/EA/EK)