Bush woos Turkey on military solidarity

Bush sent a clear signal of his preference for speedy consideration of Turkey’s request on a day when EU foreign ministers were meeting on the topic in Brussels, Belgium. Turkey considers a proposal to start membership talks in 2005 as too late, though the proposal appeared to be gaining support among EU members.

Between the president personally pressing European leaders and Secretary of State Colin Powell working the phones, Bush said his "administration is working hard on Turkey’s behalf." Some in Europe believe Turkey must further prove its democratic and economic credentials to win entry into the 15-nation bloc.

But Bush "thinks it’s very important that the EU give consideration to a nation like Turkey, an Islamic democracy, an emerging country that certainly has made tremendous strides in terms of integration into Europe," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Erdogan offered effusive praise for the Bush administration’s support. "But," he said, prompting laughter, "it shouldn’t end here."

Given the U.S. agenda in the region, that seemed likely.

Iraq’s northern neighbor is seen as a critical potential staging area in any U.S.-led attack against Iraq President Saddam Hussein’s regime. Turkey hosts some 50 U.S. aircraft patrolling the no-fly zone over northern Iraq.