Turkey's rejection of the American military last week was both courageous and unexpected. The parliament's decision shocked arrogant Washington policymakers, who'd expected capitulation. Dependable Turkey, they thought, while a tough negotiator, always concedes in the end.

Before the fateful vote, the U.S. had presumptuously jumped ahead with planning the "Turkish front" for its war on Iraq. Washington assumed - incorrectly - that Turkey's only concern was money. Ankara's initial request for $92 billion war compensation was summarily refused. Washington offered $26 billion, smugly thinking the cash-strapped Turks would concede.

However, the U.S. thought wrong. At a time when pro-war Americans are eager to ascribe unflattering motives to allies that oppose President Bush's push for war, it's important to note that Turkey's defiance of the most powerful nation on Earth owed as much to principles as it did to cash.

The country's population is strongly anti-war. Since 1999, the Kurdish insurrection that left 30,000 dead has ended. The government has reconstructed myriad destroyed homes, while granting greater language rights for the Kurds - who fear Iraqi Kurd provocations could ruin everything for them by forcing a Turkish Army crackdown.

Muslim yet secular, Turkey has always appealed to Washington. Its borders with the Soviet Union made it a strategic Cold War ally. Time and again, America has interceded on Turkey's behalf. It prevented British intervention after Turkey's 1974 invasion of Cyprus, and has consistently supported the military - even in quite undemocratic coups d'etat.

However, Turkey's decision exposed latent tensions. Turks are able to compromise - but not about their sovereignty.

On the Iraqi border, the army protects every mountain pass against outside attack. In October, at a motel in the dusty border town of Sirnak, I found a Turkish intelligence officer awaiting me. "What're you doing here?" he queried politely. "Don't you know about the war?" He couldn't believe I was merely a wandering journalist. Despite the Turkish- American friendship, suspicions abound.

These were heightened once the American desire to lead the Iraqi sweep became known. The Turkish army's noncommittal stance on a U.S. attack before the vote seemed like tacit opposition.

Hosting U.S. soldiers, the army fears, could interfere with its operations. They could remain after the war - perhaps for years. And that could curtail Turkish counterterrorist incursions into Iraq. Since they must placate Iraqi Kurds to gain trust, the Americans, if present in Turkey, could hamper the military.

Then there is the oil-rich northern Iraqi city, Kirkuk. By controlling it, the Kurds could finance - and arm - their own state. Iraqi Kurd independence, Turkey fears, could incite a domestic revolt. A hypothetical American sweep from Turkey would capture Kirkuk, foiling both parties. This American plan contributed to parliament's misgivings.

Additionally, Turkey has economic fears. Since 1992, it's suffered at least $65 billion in lost, never-reimbursed Iraqi trade. Saddled with unpayable loans and hit by major recessions, Turkey became the IMF's biggest-ever debtor. Yet no one remembers Turkey's sacrifices for America. By declining today's bribery, Turkey is taking a major economic risk.

America's offer ($26 billion) looks good only on paper. The money (mostly loan guarantees) would be controlled by international lenders and the U.S. government. Far from a blank check, Turkey would win only more debt.

Turkey's courageous stand against U.S. imperialism represented democracy at its finest: pressured parliamentarians voting for their constituents' true wishes. Eastern Europe's groveling leaders, however, have ignored widespread domestic anti-war sentiment. Only the Turks have exhibited democracy.

Turkey's European Union candidacy bid has received vocal American support. Against European stonewalling, America has emphasized Turkey's secular, democratic values. But since Turkey asserted its democratic will, Washington has been furious. It's now threatening to withdraw EU accession support.

Ironically, however, retraction of American support could help Turkey. Chronically anti-Turkish Germany and France, buoyed by Turkey's resolve, are confidently opposing America. Perhaps Turkey's brave decision will pay off, should Europe warm up to it. For, as it proved by standing up to the greatest power in the world, Turkey is leagues ahead of its Eastern European rivals when it comes to democracy.