Turkey balked on helping Bush invade Iraq, but may help Obama with exit
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
ANKARA — Turkey's Islamist President was less than cooperative when the U.S. under former President George W. Bush sought to use its bases for the invasion of Iraq in 2003. But times have changed as Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Obama administration have been preparing to enhance their nations' military ties.
Officials said the Obama administration has sought Turkish cooperation for a U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq. They said this would include the stationing of an expanded American military presence in Turkey.
Officials said the two countries have agreed to conduct regular high-level meetings as part of a strategic dialogue. They said Turkey has agreed to help the United States in military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The military and intelligence relations will become much closer and reflect U.S. appreciation of Turkey as a major ally," an official said.
Officials said the strategic dialogue would take place in Ankara and Washington.
In May 2009, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, was scheduled to arrive in Turkey for meetings with Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug.
Mullen would be the third high-level U.S. official to visit Turkey in 2009. In April, President Barack Obama spent two days in Turkey and pronounced Ankara a key ally. In March, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks with the Turkish leadership.