Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Turkish Leaders Consider New Vote on U.S. Troops
Aired March 03, 2003 - 07:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: It's now being reported that Turkey may consider a new vote on whether U.S. troops should be allowed to use bases in that country. Turkish leaders last night failed to reach agreement on whether to resubmit a proposal that was rejected during the weekend.
Let's turn to Jane Arraf, who joins us from Ankara with the latest.
Good morning -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Paula.
Turkish leaders are still discussing that question, whether to send the vote back to parliament. Intense debate all day long here as to whether, when parliament reconvenes tomorrow, they will be discussing this bill again.
Now, it was a heartbreakingly close decision. Only three votes between yes and no, but it's a decision that has split the government, split the party and split people here in the streets. We've been in the streets, where there are intense arguments about whether they should have said yes or no, but one thing people are worried about this morning are the economic effects if that vote to not allow the U.S. troops here stands -- Paula.
ZAHN: And talk about those economic consequences for a moment.
ARRAF: Well, this country is already in very bad economic shape. It's been going through one of the worst recessions in decades.
Now, this morning, after the news of that weekend vote, the stock exchange plunged more than 10 percent, the currency is down, and that's prompted Turkish officials to come out, including the prime minister, and make statements, saying that people should calm, the markets should remain calm. Turkey was on track with the International Monetary Fund, but basically, they're waiting to see whether we do get another vote.
And here on the streets, people are saying even though they were happy that parliament said no to the U.S. troops, they're worried now about what happens if they alienate the United States -- Paula.
ZAHN: We'll be coming back to you throughout the morning for the very latest on what the parliament decides to do. Thanks Jane -- Jane Arraf reporting from Turkey for us this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired March 3, 2003 - 07:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: It's now being reported that Turkey may consider a new vote on whether U.S. troops should be allowed to use bases in that country. Turkish leaders last night failed to reach agreement on whether to resubmit a proposal that was rejected during the weekend.
Let's turn to Jane Arraf, who joins us from Ankara with the latest.
Good morning -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Paula.
Turkish leaders are still discussing that question, whether to send the vote back to parliament. Intense debate all day long here as to whether, when parliament reconvenes tomorrow, they will be discussing this bill again.
Now, it was a heartbreakingly close decision. Only three votes between yes and no, but it's a decision that has split the government, split the party and split people here in the streets. We've been in the streets, where there are intense arguments about whether they should have said yes or no, but one thing people are worried about this morning are the economic effects if that vote to not allow the U.S. troops here stands -- Paula.
ZAHN: And talk about those economic consequences for a moment.
ARRAF: Well, this country is already in very bad economic shape. It's been going through one of the worst recessions in decades.
Now, this morning, after the news of that weekend vote, the stock exchange plunged more than 10 percent, the currency is down, and that's prompted Turkish officials to come out, including the prime minister, and make statements, saying that people should calm, the markets should remain calm. Turkey was on track with the International Monetary Fund, but basically, they're waiting to see whether we do get another vote.
And here on the streets, people are saying even though they were happy that parliament said no to the U.S. troops, they're worried now about what happens if they alienate the United States -- Paula.
ZAHN: We'll be coming back to you throughout the morning for the very latest on what the parliament decides to do. Thanks Jane -- Jane Arraf reporting from Turkey for us this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
