US Seeks Turkish Support Over Iran     09/04 10:02

   ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The United States' top military officer stressed on 
Saturday the need for Turkey to help enforce United Nations sanctions against 
Iran aimed at deterring the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

   Turkey voted against the U.S.-backed sanctions against Iran in June, 
insisting that its neighbor's nuclear program is peaceful, despite fears that 
Tehran might be seeking to develop nuclear arms. Turkey has, however, stated 
that it will abide by the sanctions.

   Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters 
in the Turkish capital he did not plan to "question or rebut" Turkey over the 
vote and welcomed Turkey's stated intention to abide by those sanctions.

   The U.N. approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran in early June 
over accusations that Tehran is seeking to develop atomic weapons. Iran denies 
its nuclear program is militaristic in nature and says it has a right to 
conduct uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes. Washington and other powers 
accuse Iran of seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

   Mullen said that both countries agree that Iran should not achieve "a 
nuclear weapons capability," and need "to do all that we can to ensure that."

   Mullen arrived in Ankara Friday to meet with his new Turkish counterpart, 
Gen. Isik Kosaner, who took office on Aug. 27. He also met with Turkey's prime 
minister and defense minister. No statements were released after those meetings.

   Mullen praised Turkey --- NATO's sole Muslim member state --- for its role 
in Afghanistan and said the United States would welcome any additional help it 
can provide.

   Turkey currently holds the rotating command of the international 
peacekeeping force guarding the Afghan capital, while Turkish instructors are 
training the Afghan army and police force.

   "We would like Turkey to sustain all of those efforts," Mullen said. "Any 
additional capabilities that Turkey can provide against the training shortfall, 
that would certainly be of great help."

   The U.S. military chief said Washington has no plans to withdraw its weapons 
from Iraq through Turkey, though the U.S. military has sought Turkish 
permission to transport some noncombat equipment from Iraq through its 
territory.

   Turkey has said it looks favorably on the passage of such equipment and 
technical material, but not arms, which would require parliament's approval.

   In 2003, Turkey refused to allow U.S. forces to use its territory to invade 
Iraq.


(KA)