Cheney flies home with little backing for Iraq attack

US Vice President Dick Cheney ended an 11 nation Mideast tour today by promising Turkey financial aid for peacekeeping in Afghanistan.

Cheney said he hoped Turkey would agree to lead the force, now being run by Britain. But he failed to win the key Nato ally’s support for a tougher policy against neighbour Iraq.

Turkey has been asked to replace Britain next month in leading the international force in Kabul. But the Islamic nation has expressed reservations about the assignment, citing financial worries and lack of a clear exit strategy.

Cheney said he told Turkish leaders that the Bush administration was sending Congress a €259m aid package to help Turkey defray peacekeeping costs.

Cheney also promised to assist Turkey in its bid to become a member of the European Union.

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit became the latest leader on Cheney’s 11 nation tour to criticise US proposals to widen the war on terrorism to Baghdad. He suggested such strikes could hurt Turkey’s tottering economy.

Ecevit said after the meeting that Cheney had ‘‘very clearly stated that there will be no military action against Iraq in the foreseeable future.’’

Cheney disputed that characterisation of his remarks. ‘‘I said military action is not imminent. And that’s what I’ve been saying at every stop.’’