Turkey gives US troops access to Iraq

ENDING a high stakes diplomatic standoff, Turkey’s cabinet yesterday agreed to the deployment of tens of thousands of US combat troops ahead of a possible war in Iraq.

The measure is expected to face a vote in Turkey’s parliament today.

The announcement came as US ships loaded with tanks and other armour awaited orders off the Turkish coast. It followed a more than six-hour cabinet meeting, a sign of the deep difficulties during the US-Turkish talks.