WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States is expressing unease with Turkey's
continued economic cooperation with Iraq.U.S. officials said the Bush administration has urged Ankara to reduce
new forms of cooperation with the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The officials said Turkey must join a U.S.-led front that opposes Saddam and
his efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.So far, the officials said, Turkey's response has been mixed. Ankara
seeks to cooperate with Washington on military issues concerning Iraq. But
the government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said Iraq remains a key
trading partner for Turkey.On Wednesday, the State Department expressed opposition to a second
border crossing between Iraq and Turkey. The border gate was meant to
facilitate Iraqi oil exports -- most of them not under United Nations
supervision -- to Turkey.
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