Kurdish Solidarity Act of 2014 (Passed)

[bore]

The current language seems pretty inoffensive to me, but if there's any way we can make it better for the turks, I'd support that.

[windjammer]

Just to say I agree with Lumine, Cranberry, Kalwejt and Polnut too.

[Lumine]

In light of the ongoing situation, and despite not having enough time to sign a final version myself, I propose an amendment. I don't want to get rid of the talks, but the truth is that they could be accomplished in a more efficient way by the Secretary of External Affairs, and the military help is crucial right now. Thoughts?

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[windjammer]

Sponsored for you.

[Lief 🗽]

Strongly oppose this. What an insult to the Kurdish people this amended resolution would be: thank you for doing the heavy lifting against ISIS, but unfortunately we will ignore your requests for self-determination and autonomy at this time.

[Lumine]

Senator, you do know Turkey (a key ally whose help is crucial not only to defeat ISIS, but to secure the stability of the region) is very close to marching on Northern Iraq, do you?

Would you really advocate for a path that could leads us into an even worse situation for the sake of holding talks that already look pretty hard to accept to many of the interested nations?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Senator, you do know Turkey (a key ally whose help is crucial not only to defeat ISIS, but to secure the stability of the region) is very close to marching on Northern Iraq, do you?

Would you really advocate for a path that could leads us into an even worse situation for the sake of holding talks that already look pretty hard to accept to many of the interested nations?

We need to strike the right balance of supporting Kurdish autonomy and that our friend and ally needs to be respected.

It shouldn't be THAT hard to construct some words.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

We cannot continue to pursue our unrealistic foreign policy perfectionism to the detriment of the situation on the ground and the context in which such actions are taken. We all want self-determination I think, but some times you have to compromise and the worst thing possible for the Kurds would be a Turkish invasion obviously. It is wonderful to have ideals and even to want to pursue them but diplomacy is about expediance and practicality, not perfectionism and thus we would be irresponsble to take a course that ignores the latest developments.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We really need to pass a workable bill to deal with the deepening Iraqi crisis.

Literally, the last thing we need are hardliners in Ankara succeeding in preassuring their superiors to launch an intervention in Northern Iraq (check GM thread).

I very much like the ideals of an original version, but realistically speaking, our priority must be to help the Iraqi Kurds hold on.

[TNF]

I object to the amendment. It's pure garbage, like everything else this administration does.

[Cranberry]

Yes, Kalwejts comment are very prudent, and I can only echo him.
It might be sad, but in these current times, we won't get further, so I will support the amendment.

[bore]

Senators a vote is now open on Windjammer's amendment, please vote aye nay or abstain

[windjammer]

Aye

Kal and Lumine are right. It would be better not to literally offend Turkey right now.

[Lief 🗽]

Nay

[Senator Cris]

Aye

I agree with the President and with my colleagues.
In our current times, we need to be realists and we need to approve a bill that deals with the situation. Also offend Turkey right now is not the right thing, so I'm supporting the amendment.

[Cranberry]

Aye

For the sake of realism, if for nothing else. There is a second time for everything, let us come back to this then.

[SWE]

Nay

[Lumine]

I thank the Senators for supporting the idea, and I do hope that the amendment passes. I can't say Senator TNF's comments surpise me at all, and well, he knows I have a similar opinion on quite a good amount of his policies.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I will be offering an amendment once this vote is settled.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE

[TNF]

Nay

[bore]

Abstain

This has enough votes to pass, senators have 24 hour to change their votes

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

My computer must have hanged causing the dual vote. THat happens a lot, hopefully it will soon be fixed, not that it matters in ten hours anyway.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am very pleased that the amendment has passed. One of the biggest problems this game has had since before I joined the Senate was paying attention to and taking into consideration the developments on the ground as stated by the GM when we formulate legislation. I must say that having cut my teeth with GM reform way back in 2009, this is one developments that I am must glad to see finally occuring.