In one of the petitions the Peace Initiative notes that in spite of the parliament's rejection of the March 1st resolution that would allow "the presence and deployment of foreign military forces", heavy US military mobilization has been taking place within Turkish borders.
Various administrative bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chief of General Staff have been justifying such seemingly "illegal mobilization" with reference to a "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the United States (US) and the Turkish government on the 8th February 2003.
Unpublished documents
The Peace Initiative holds that this unpublished document is illegal in terms of its authority, its subject matter and aims.
The Peace Initiative demands that execution of any activities with reference to the memorandum should be withheld and the document itself should be cancelled immediately.
In the other petition, members of the Peace Initiative demand significative compensation from the Turkish government for the moral damage it has caused "by failing to stop the US military mobilization, condoning the infringement of the Constitution and sovereignty rights, rendering Turkey an occupied country, and making us the citizens of an anti-democratic state by remaining silent in the face of the declaration of the Chief of Military Staff who articulated a will above and beyond the Parliament by stating that the US military acts in accordance with the memorandum of understanding".
The petitions were submitted on Friday 14th. Volunteers of the Peace Initiative stated, "All activities that have been taking place as if the March 1st resolution was not rejected, are illegal. We are making an appeal to the rule of law as a last ditch effort to stop the ongoing illegal activities". (BE/NM)
