Turkey ‘has a share in Iraq deals’

"The prime American contractors for these contracts will be able to award subcontracts to qualified US firms and foreign firms which are located in Iraq coalition partner countries," said the statement.

Usaid is expected to award eight contracts each worth several hundred million dollars to American companies to rebuild Iraq’s principal infrastructure.

About half of the total value of US aid contracts for Iraq is expected to be subcontracted to foreign companies.

A contract worth up to $680 million was awarded last week.

The refusal by the Turkish parliament to allow US troops to use Turkish soil to open a northern front against Iraq strained ties between Ankara and Washington.