US and Turkey discussing scaled-down strike against northern Iraq

Friday, January 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) _ Facing stiff Turkish resistance, the United States may scale back its demand to base tens of thousands of soldiers in Turkey for a possible strike against Iraq, a Western diplomat said Friday.

Washington had reportedly considered deploying up to 80,000 soldiers in Turkey for a potential northern strike that, along with a southern thrust from the Gulf, would leave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein surrounded.

But Turkey's government has balked at the large deployment. Turkish leaders have repeatedly pointed to polls that show 80 percent of the country is against any Iraq war.

A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that U.S. and Turkish negotiators are now considering a smaller force. Turkish media have reported it would involve between 15,000 and 20,000 troops.

U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson met with Turkish legislators Friday.

``We look forward to moving toward a mutually acceptable solution,'' Pearson said. ``I am confident that we will find an acceptable solution to these issues.''

He gave no details.

Accepting foreign troops is an extremely sensitive issue in Turkey. The country was divided and occupied by foreign countries after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The presence of foreign soldiers on Turkish soil is an emotional issue.

Turkey and Iraq also share the Islamic faith and Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire before World War I.

Turkey ``has deep historic relations with the people of Iraq, is a neighbor of Iraq and because of its regional position, there will be limits to the support Turkey can consider supplying to an operation,'' presidential spokesman Tacan Ildem said Friday.

He spoke after a meeting on Iraq between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and the head of the Turkish army, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok.

Last week, Turkey granted permission to 150 U.S. inspectors to examine Turkish bases for possible deployment, but that decision came more than a month after the request was made. The inspectors began work Monday.

Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, was expected in Turkey for a Monday meeting on the bases with Ozkok.

Washington was keen to begin the inspections quickly because many of the bases will have to be expanded or upgraded. The United States is expected to spend up to $200 million on base renovations.

Turkey leaders also fear instability on their border if there is a conflict and international investors say economic losses could reach $4-$10 billion.

Turkish leaders have repeatedly called for a peaceful solution to the Iraq standoff.

``Peaceful means still have not been exhausted entirely and all sides concerned must give peace a chance,'' Ildem said.