Turkey: Agreement reached on US troops

Turkey and the United States have reached agreement on the deployment of US troops for any war against Iraq, Turkey’s defence minister said today.

Vecdi Gonul’s comments came as the leader of Turkey’s ruling party urged MPs to agree to the deployment of more than 60,000 American soldiers.

Parliament was expected to vote later today. Their approval would end a high stakes diplomatic stand-off that has strained relations between the two Nato allies.

Diplomats have been negotiating an economic aid package worth billions of euro which is aimed at compensating Turkey for any losses incurred in a war.

They are also negotiating Iraq’s future and the military command structure if US and Turkish troops are sent into northern Iraq.

Turkish media said the two sides had agreed that US officers would arm and disarm Kurdish opposition groups in the area, but under the supervision of Turkish officers.

Turkey had opposed proposals to arm the Kurds, fearing that increased military strength would encourage them to push for their own state. That could inspire Turkey’s own minority Kurdish population.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the governing Justice and Development Party, is urging MPs to accept the American forces.

Despite the ongoing talks, Turkey’s Cabinet has already backed the deployment of 62,000 US troops, 255 war planes and 65 helicopters. The bill has been sent to parliament for approval.