Turkey has made history!

From the Peace Initiative of Turkey

Please join us in giving support to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for their decision not to support the war against Iraq!

Dear Friends,

On March 1st, as 100.000 anti-war activists were marching in the streets of Ankara,

the Grand National Assembly of Turkey said "NO TO WAR" by defeating the "War Resolution" prepared by the government earlier last week.

This is tantamount to saying "YES" to the will of the people!

With their votes, the deputies said "NO" to:
the deployment of foreign (i.e. American) soldiers in Turkey,
the use of bases and ports by foreign military forces,
the deployment of Turkish soldiers outside Turkey (i.e. Northern Iraq).
This means that there will be no "Northern Front" in the planned war!

We believe that this decision might be decisive in postponing or stopping the war!

As the Peace Initiative of Turkey, we have held a press conference today to thank the Grand National Assembly and to assure them that they have our full support as long as they maintain their stance against the war. We asked them to keep Ankara as the capital of peace!

The U.S. pressure on the Turkish government is stronger than ever. In the midst of an economic crisis, Turkey is likely to suffer tremendously from this state of uncertainty and loss of U.S. support. It is very important that the international community give support to the government and the Grand National Assembly at this crucial moment! They need to know that they are not alone!

Please write to members of the government, the parties in the Grand National Assembly, and the President, and let them know how you feel about their decision on March 1st.

In solidarity,

Peace Initiative of Turkey

**** We will appreciate it if you forward a copy of your messages to us at the following address:

peaceturkey@yahoo.com



ADDRESSES:

President of State
Ahmet Necdet Sezer
cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul
abdullah.gul@basbakanlik.gov.tr

Deputy Prime Minister
Ertugrul Yalcinbayir
ertugrul.yalcinbayir@basbakanlik.gov.tr

Speaker of Government
Abdullatif Sener
abdullatif.sener@basbakanlik.gov.tr

Human Rights Comission
inshkkom@tbmm.gov.tr

National Defense Comission
savkom@tbmm.gov.tr

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Yasar Yakis
info@mfa.gov.tr

President of Justice and Development Party (AKP)
Tayyip Erdogan
rte@akparti.org.tr

President of Republican People's Party (CHP)
Deniz Baykal
dbaykal@chp.org.tr



FOLLOWING IS A LETTER I SENT.  IF YOU DONT HAVE TIME TO WRITE YOU COULD SEND THIS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR.

cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr, abdullah.gul@basbakanlik.gov.tr, ertugrul.yalcinbayir@basbakanlik.gov.tr, abdullatif.sener@basbakanlik.gov.tr, inshkkom@tbmm.gov.tr, savkom@tbmm.gov.tr, info@mfa.gov.tr, rte@akparti.org.tr, dbaykal@chp.org.tr

Thank you Turkey,

On behalf of  all the people who are trying to find a peaceful resolution to the Iraq conflict we thank you for your courageous stand against the US war machine.

You are a shinning example to the world.

We whole heartedly support you.

Congratulations.

for the Earth