Bush Thanks Turkey for Help in Possible Iraq War

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush will continue to work closely with the Turkish government to assure that Iraq complies with U.N. resolutions designed to remove suspected stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons. With more than 100,000 U.S. troops in the region, President Bush says he will lead his own coalition to disarm Iraq if the United Nations fails to act.
Leading-up to a possible decision on the use of military force, the Bush administration is continuing its diplomatic push against Iraq a day after Secretary of State Colin Powell told the U.N. Security Council that Iraq is hiding illegal weapons and helping terrorists. Mr. Fleischer says that diplomatic case is finding "increasing numbers" of supporters as the president continues to consult with world leaders.
Ten central and eastern European nations Wednesday issued a declaration supporting the U.S. drive to disarm Iraq. Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia called on the Security Council to take action in response to what they called Iraq’s continuing threat to international peace and security.
Mr. Fleischer says the president appreciates their support. "The people of Eastern Europe know well the dangers and risks of allowing tyranny to go unchallenged, and they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of the United States. The president is proud to have their support," he said.
All ten of the European nations that signed-on to the declaration are candidates to join the NATO alliance. They said Secretary of State Powell has presented "compelling evidence" that Iraq is violating U.N. resolutions.