Bush sides with Turkey, against EU force

ANKARA — The incoming administration of President-elect George W. Bush appears dismayed over European pressure on Turkey to join an independent military force.

Advisers to the Bush team said the new administration will move to ease European Union pressure on Turkey to contribute thousands of troops and NATO installations for the European Security and Defense Identity initiative.

Turkey, the advisers said, will be a priority for the Bush administration and the United States will not allow Ankara to be swept into the EU force. Turkey has complained to Washington that the EU is demanding Turkish troops, but will not allow Ankara a say in the planning and deployment of the force.

Former Deputy Defense Secretary Richard Perle, a key foreign adviser to Bush, said the EU force appears to be an attempt to marginalize NATO and isolate Turkey, which remains outside of the union.

"This initiative isolates both Turkey and the U.S.," Perle was quoted as saying by the Ankara-based Andalou news agency as saying. "There are attempts to keep Turkey and the U.S. out [of the EU force] because of the greed of France and some other countries."

Perle, who criticized Clinton administration policies toward Turkey and the EU, said the new administration will advance ties with Ankara and bolster NATO.