VOA News - Turkey says it will ask parliament Wednesday to let U.S. planes use Turkish airspace in case of war, but will not yet seek approval for U.S. troop deployment.
A Turkish government spokesman said U.S. officials have only asked for immediate permission for fighter jets to fly over Turkey on their way to Iraq.
He said talks are still continuing on a possible separate motion allowing U.S. troops to deploy on Turkish military bases.
Turkish Economic Minister Ali Babacan said Tuesday there is a positive feeling in Turkish political circles on reaching an agreement with the United States.
Turkish lawmakers rejected U.S. troop deployment two weeks ago, reflecting the Turkish public's more than 90 percent opposition to war with Iraq.
The United States wants to use Turkish military bases and airspace to open a second front against northern Iraq. U.S. military planners say this could shorten the war and save many lives.
The Bush administration withdrew a multi-billion dollar package of grants and loan guarantees to Turkey that would have been in exchange for troop deployment rights. But Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday a portion of the aid package could be re-offered.
Turkish officials also say the United States has agreed to allow their troops into northern Iraq to help prevent a refugee crisis in Turkey.
It is unclear how U.S. troops would react if Turkish soldiers try to use force against Iraqi Kurds who may try to declare an independent Kurdistan. Iraqi Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq agreed to put their forces under U.S. command in case of war.
The United States says it wants to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity, but also wants to prevent a military showdown between Iraqi Kurds and Turkey.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.