“On March 1 [2003], in a stunning blow, the Turkish parliament rejected the proposal to allow American troops to operate from Turkish bases. The vote was 264 in favor to 251 against, with 19 abstentions… In Washington, Secretary [of State Colin] Powell said that the American military would be ‘flexible enough’ to proceed without Turkish help, while General [Richard] Myers said, ‘It’ll be tougher without Turkey, but nevertheless, it’ll happen.’ ”
– Todd S. Purdum and The New York Times Staff, A Time of Our Choosing, Page 101