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.

A copy of the motion included giving permission for the deployment of 62,000 foreign troops for six months. It would also allow the United States to send up to 255 warplanes and 65 helicopters to Turkey. Turkish and US officials also continued talks yesterday on a multi-billion dollar financial package to ease the effects of higher interest rates on its huge debt, rising oil prices and a fall-off in tourism revenues. Turkish officials have said a financial deal is now within reach.

At Iskenderun port, a cargo ship docked and discharged heavy trucks of the kind used to carry tanks or other heavy armour.

Authorities say US movements around the port now fall under an interim deal allowing Washington to upgrade bases and ports.

The AKP, viewed by the powerful military with suspicion because of its Islamist roots, has bargained hard for a financial package. The US had grown concerned in recent weeks that agreement might not be reached quickly enough to move troops in time for a strike.

But a northern front against Iraq is an important part of US military planning. Troops pouring south-wards from Turkish territory would relieve pressure on a possible main invasion force heading from the flatter, southern lands around Kuwait. The AKP has resisted the move towards war throughout.

Though it denies any Islamist links, it has always argued for closer relations with its Muslim neighbours while pursuing its aim of EU membership.

Turkey has said it does not want to be seen as the regional bully and does not want its troops to fire a single shot in Iraq. But it seeks to deploy thousands of its own troops in northern Iraq an area ruled by two Kurdish groups and beyond Iraq's rule since the 1991 Gulf War.