US raises pressure on Turkey

US raises pressure on Turkey

Tayyip Erdogan wants an agreement on financial aid

Washington has told Turkey it will cancel its offer of a multi-billion dollar aid package unless the Ankara government immediately allows US troops on its soil.

It is the latest twist in the diplomatic and political position-squaring ahead of any conflict in Iraq.

Turkey has been stalling in an effort to secure a much larger aid package than the US has been proposing, believed to be about $32bn.

Washington is offering around $6bn, along with $20bn in loan guarantees.

The US has also been a vocal supporter of Turkey's ambitions to join the European Union.

Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan has been quoted as saying an agreement on financial aid and his country's role in any war must be made in writing before US troops can use the country's military bases and sea ports.

He denied the delay was just about negotiating for a financial deal.

"It's ridiculous to call this bargaining for dollars," Mr Erdogan told Yeni Safak newspaper.

"The political and military dimensions are far more important, the economic dimension comes after these," he said.

Other influences

Ergin Yildizoglu, of Turkish daily newspaper Cumhuriyet, told the BBC's World Business report that the Turkish government was in a difficult position.

"Turkey now is between a rock and a hard place really because 94% of the population is against the war," he said.

Mr Yildizoglu said Turkey's experiences during the last Gulf War and the precarious state of its economy have also effected its stance.

"In the previous war the Turkish economy suffered a lot," he said.