On March 1 the Turkish parliament failed to ratify the AKP-led governments agreement to allow US ground forces to enter Turkey in preparation for a war on Iraq. 533 members of parliament participated in the vote. 264 voted to permit US troops, 250 voted against, and 19 abstained. To pass the motion required at least 267 yes votes (half of those present). On March 3 the government issued a statement that said no new vote could be called for at least two to three weeks.


Its Greeces big terror trial. 19 alleged members of the November 17 terror group went to court in Athens.