Turkey preparing to open ports and airbases to 62,000 US troops

TURKEY yesterday said it was preparing to open ports and airbases to 62,000 US troops for a possible invasion of Iraq once it concludes a deal with Washington on financial support and military co-operation.

The government submitted a motion to parliament outlining the plans for US forces yesterday, and a vote is expected todayok or tomorrow. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has a big majority despite internal dissent over what would be an unpopular war. Washington had expected a parliamentary go-ahead a week ago.

US ships carrying munition and supplies for the Fourth Infantry Division, a body of 20,000 to 30,000, waited off Turkey's Mediterranean coast for the green light from Ankara.