ANKARA - U.S. President George W. Bush's envoy to the Iraqi opposition, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Tuesday that they expected Turkey's cooperation regarding Iraqi issue.
Khalilzad, who came to Ankara to hold contacts concerning recent developments prior to a possible U.S. operation against Iraq, told reporters that the aim of his visit was to continue dialogue with ''their friends in Turkey.''
Important days were being experienced, Khalilzad said.
Khalilzad noted that the world was exerting efforts on how Iraq could be purified from mass destructive weapons.
Turkey had a vital role in that respect, Khalilzad stressed.
Khalilzad stated that he would meet with Turkish officials in coming days and also hold contacts with representatives of Iraqi opposition groups.
When he was reminded about the statement of Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani that ''U.S. should get permission from Turkey for entrance of its soldiers to Northern Iraq'', Khalilzad said that they wanted cooperation with Turkey and they expected Turkey's cooperation.
Diplomatic sources said that Khalilzad would meet with representatives of Iraqi opposition groups who would also arrive in Ankara later in the day.
Khalilzad will depart from Turkey on Friday.