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The United States was shocked by the decision of Turkish parliament to reject the deployment of US soldiers in its territory, mass-circulated Turkish daily Sabah(Morning) reported on Sunday.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell had called Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and asked what the result meant, the report said.
According to the report, the Bush administration was expected to act based on the attitude the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party (AK Party) would assume.
US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson went to the Turkish Foreign Ministry to get information following the rejection of the motion in Parliament on Saturday night.
US Embassy officials were quoted as saying that "we respect the decision. Turkey is still our friend."
Gul Saturday night held a three-hour meeting with AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as some deputy prime ministers and ministers following the parliament voting.
No statement was issued after the meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)
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