Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 03/05/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH TURKEY (S)

NUMBER=2-30035

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The White House is still holding out hope that Turkey will agree to allow U-S troops to use the country for a possible invasion of northern Iraq. VOA's Scott Stearns reports, Turkey's parliament Saturday narrowly rejected the U-S request.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says the Bush Admninistration is continuing to "see what Turkey thinks and hear what Turkey says" about basing more U-S troops in the country.

The head of Turkey's ruling party Tuesday said the government is planning to re-introduce the measure and will press lawmakers to pass it. But it is not clear when that second vote might take place.

U-S military officials want to place as many as 60-thousand troops in Turkey to open a front in northern Iraq if President Bush decides to use force. Because those troops must be ready to go before the fighting starts, Washington says time is running out for Turkey to make up its mind about whether to allow the troops.

Mr. Fleischer says Turkey is still "trying to sort it out" and the Bush Administration will continue to discuss the request with Turkish officials.

U-S officials have told Turkey it will not get most of a proposed multi-billion dollar aid package if it does not allow additional U-S troop deployments. (SIGNED)

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