Turkey delays key vote on US troops

Turkey delays key vote on US troops

Nato is already delivering military equipment to Turkey

The Turkish Government has finalised the military details of a deal allowing US troops to use its bases for an attack on neighbouring Iraq.

But a parliamentary vote on the controversial issue has once again been postponed and is not expected to be held until Saturday at the earliest.

Negotiations are still going on between Washington and Ankara on the exact amount of financial compensation Turkey would receive in exchange for its support for US troops.

Meanwhile at the United Nations, the Security Council is holding private discussions on a draft resolution put forward by the US, Britain and Spain, laying the groundwork for military action.

The latest report on Iraqi disarmament by chief arms inspector Hans Blix, obtained by the BBC, says inspections have produced only limited results so far, and indicates that Baghdad could have made greater efforts to co-operate.

However it appears unlikely to convince the Security Council sceptics that America's case for war is justified.

Correspondents believe military action may be closer than ever, after US President George W Bush laid out his vision for a post-war Iraq during a speech on Wednesday night.

In other developments:

• Iraqi officials say Baghdad will give its response in the next 48 hours to UN demands for it to destroy its banned al-Samoud missiles

• At least 100,000 Egyptians rally in the capital, Cairo, to show support for Iraq and condemn US policy in the Middle East

• Oil prices soar to their highest level since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait 12 years ago.

The Turkish parliament had been expected to vote on co-operation with the US on Thursday, after a string of delays.

US-TURKISH PLANS

62,000 troops

255 warplanes

65 helicopters

Analysts say the delay may mean Turkey is holding out for as much money as it can get, or that members of the government are having a tough time persuading deputies to support the motion.

The great majority of Turks are deeply hostile to the deployment of US troops on their territory - a view reflected among members of parliament.

However, it had been thought the motion would get the backing it needed - if only because it is thought likely that war will go ahead with or without Turkish support.

Bush's vision

The US is waiting to send thousands of troops into southern Turkey in preparation for a possible invasion of northern Iraq.

HAVE YOUR SAY

I am a bit sceptical as to whether his plans to rebuild Iraq into a shining example of democracy and prosperity will actually happen

Harry, Germany/ ex UK

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In an address to the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on Wednesday night - President Bush said any future the Iraqi people chose for themselves after Saddam was deposed would be better than living in their "nightmare world".

And addressing the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians for the first time in months, Mr Bush said ousting the Iraqi leader would deprive Palestinian militants of support and encourage the people to chose "true leaders who strive for peace".

US officials say it is impossible to know when they could allow Iraqis will take responsibility for their own affairs. Some areas like health, they say, will be easier than others, such as the army.

BUSH VISION OF 'FREE' IRAQ

We will remain in Iraq as long as necessary, and not a day more

President Bush

Click here for speech excerpts

The BBC's Nick Childs says this lack of a clear blueprint, combined with lingering concerns about the unity of the Iraqi opposition, leaves many critics still concerned.

In a first reaction from the region itself, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said the Iraqi people would not tolerate external rule, and that anyone who thought otherwise was deluding himself.

He denied American reports that his country had agreed to allow the US military use one of its major air bases in the event of war with Iraq.

Money and military

The military deal agreed by Washington and Ankara is believed to cover both the practicalities of how US troops will operate within Turkey - including which country's laws they are subject to - and the much more sensitive issue of how the Turkish and US militaries may co-operate in Iraq.

The US is thought to have offered Turkey up to $30bn in grants and loan guarantees in return.

Turkey has also made clear that it will send a large force into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq should war come.

Reports suggest that tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers might be given a military role by the US in securing Kurdish northern Iraq.

Turkey fears that events in northern Iraq could have a knock-on effect on its own Kurdish territories.