Ankara, 7 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The Turkish government has decided not to send troops to Iraq to assist U.S.-led coalition stabilization efforts, after a discussion last night between U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (pictured) and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Dirioz today told reporters the decision was made after a telephone call between Gul and Powell. Dirioz gave no further details.
The Turkish government last month passed a motion to allow the deployment of as many as 10,000 troops in Iraq for one year. The move had been met by strong opposition by Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council.
The Turkish government last month passed a motion to allow the deployment of as many as 10,000 troops in Iraq for one year. The move had been met by strong opposition by Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council.