U.S. says it may need Turkey during withdrawal from Iraq- FM Babacan

The U.S. has not yet made plans about the number of soldiers and the route it would withdraw the troops, Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan told broadcaster Kanal 24. Â

 

Babacan said the United States would inform Turkey about its plans and the government would make assessments about their requests.  Â

 

"Iraqi people support the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers and they want this to happen soon," he said and added that Iraq has signaled for Turkey to assist during this process. He also said Turkey would of course consider its own conditions on the matter.

 

Turkey is among the countries that have entered the radar screen of the new administration in its first months, as it prepares to begin the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and seeks to boost forces in Afghanistan.Â

 

While visiting Ankara earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the two allies will consult on the safest, most effective way to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq. Turkey has said it is ready to serve as an exit route for U.S. troops.

 

Turkey has been a supply route for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and relations have improved after hitting a low in 2003 when Turkey refused to allow U.S. forces use its territory as a staging ground for the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

 

Turkey’s southern Incirlik air base has been used for the transfer of U.S. troops and equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan and could be used in the withdrawal of troops crossing at the Iraqi-Turkish border gate of Habur.

 

OBAMA VISIT

The scheduled visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Turkey in April was a result of the positive impact of Turkey's influence both in its own region and in the world, Babacan also told the during the interview.

 

Afghanistan-Pakistan, developments in the Middle East, Iran, the Caucasus, Balkans, Cyprus, Armenia, as well as Iraq would be on the agenda of the meetings to be held with Obama, the Turkish foreign minister added.

 

Babacan also told Kanal 24 that the third round of Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral meetings will be held soon, adding that the summit would focus on security and intelligence.

 

Turkey is bothered by the definition of Afghanistan and Pakistan as a single region of terrorism and watches the domestic politics of Pakistan closely, he said.

 

Turkey, which aimed at boosting trust and cooperation between the neighbors, organized two summits between Afghanistan and Pakistan last year.