Sezgin later defended his decision at a news conference, saying the Constitution and the Parliament's internal rules made it impossible for him to reject the motion. The motives of the disgruntled deputies in trying to scuttle the poll have drawn strong media criticism. Sezgin's decision to call the legislature also drew fire from the government partners. CHP leader Deniz Baykal said the election had to be held on Dec. 24 as scheduled since the public, the state, and the bureaucracy had geared themselves for the poll, parties had announced their candidates and public officials had resigned from their jobs. Life in Turkey has come to a standstill, waiting for the election.
Parliament appear for the start of the plenary session.
Analysts said it was highly unlikely that the malcontents will be able to progress any further in blocking the poll. The Turkish battalion at Zencia, Bosnia, within the American sector, will provide reconnaissance information and other related services to the American 1st Armored Divisions moving in from Germany via Hungary, according to Secretary of Defense William Perry. Perry testified at two different Congressional hearings on Thursday with Secretary of State Warren Christopher and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Shalikashvili. A Pentagon source told the TDN that the Turkish Battalion Task Force consists of 965 soldiers serving under the national command of their own commander, but also serving under the operational command of U.S. Gen. William Nash. The two commands will be integrated through Joint Military Commissions established at every level of command, including the battalion level.