US Delegation Arrives in Turkey

U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker says the U.S. delegation will not participate in those talks. Mr. Reeker also said that Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke by telephone Thursday with Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, but the spokesman did not disclose what was discussed.
Turkish newspapers say Washington is offering Turkey at least five billion dollars in aid to upgrade military bases there and strengthen Turkey’s economy.
Turkey provided critical support for the U.S.-led coalition during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The United States is interested in using Turkish bases as staging areas in the event of a new Iraq conflict.