ANKARA - U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Wednesday that Turkey had the potential to undertake a more comprehensive role than the other members of the coalition in case of a possible operation in Iraq.
Wolfowitz told reporters that use of bases, air space and territory and participation of Turkish army were possible choices in that framework.
Work on details of this issue continued, Wolfowitz said. But, he noted, Turkey's role is obvious.
Wolfowitz stated that Turkey would be with them today and in the future and that Iraqi regime was besieged by international community.
Iraq should know that it would be disarmed with the use of force if it did not voluntarily get disarmed, Wolfowitz said.
Wolfowitz pointed out that possible participation level of Turkey in the event of use of force had not been decided yet.
But, they knew that Turkey would be with them and this was what was important, Wolfowitz said.
Wolfowitz noted that a wider participation of Turkey depended on making the issue clearer and what the Northern Iraqi people wanted to see after Saddam Hussein.
Wolfowitz said that he saw in his contacts with the Turkish government that Turkey has a great devotion for European values and membership to the EU, adding that he had the impression that the new government has a common understanding with the U.S. regarding the policy U.S. pursues towards Iraq.
Wolfowitz said that they took up the issue of what kind of steps can be taken about Iraqi issue from then on, adding that ''we also referred to the economic losses Turkey can face in case of an operation.''
Wolfowitz said that if an economic security network is formed, these losses can reduce to the least, adding that they also took up the issue of what kind of military measures can be taken for protection of Iraqi territorial integrity and for prevention of foundation of an independent Kurdish state.
Wolfowitz said that they plan to continue military, political and economic negotiations with Turkey at the highest level, adding that they invited Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Washington D.C in this regard.