"The current situation about cooperation between Turkey and the United States in military action against Iraq reflects the United States' own preferences," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"In their recent statements, some circles in the United States criticized Turkey by claiming that Turkey could not display the cooperation, which the United States expected from it," the statement said.

"They expressed their disappointment. They also claimed that the United States' military action against Iraq became more difficult and risky due to Turkey," it said.

Dismissing the US allegations, it said, "Turkey has been in close contacts and consultation with its ally since the very beginning under the United States' plans to launch a military action against Iraq to eliminate weapons of mass destruction in this country."

"Turkey discussed cooperation opportunities with the United States in details after any other remedy was not left to resolve the Iraq crisis except for military methods," it said.

It said that the submission of a motion dated on February 6 on the deployment of US technical and military personnel for renovation, development and construction of bases and ports in Turkey, and the submission of a second motion dated on March 1 on the deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey revealed the Turkish government's will to cooperate with the United States.

"The Turkish parliament did not approve the motion on the deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey as a result of democratic reflection of detailed discussions on the grounds of a military action against Iraq. Later, efforts were expended to form the 59th government and to win the vote of confidence of the parliament," it said.

"Meanwhile, intense developments occurred about diplomatic issues and military preparations," it said.

"During this short period, Turkey both followed the arguments at the United Nations Security Council on new steps to be taken about the implementation of resolution 1441 and held intense contacts with the United States," it said.

During these contacts, according to the statement, "The US side stated that comprehensive cooperation did not conform to its own timing of the military action. The US side made an urgent request for the opening of Turkish airspace. The government submitted a third motion to the parliament and got permission on March 20 for the opening of Turkish airspace to US planes."

It said that as the current situation reflected the US own preference about its plans and preparations, Turkey would naturally continue to hold close contacts and consultations with its ally, the United States, accordingly.

The United States has claimed that the Turkish parliament failed to pass the motion on the deployment of US troops on the Turkish soil aimed at opening a northern front in the Iraqi war, thus badly affecting the US war plans.

Defying international opposition, the United States and Britain launched a war on Iraq on March 20, in a bid to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Iraq has denounced the invaders as "criminals" and "villains," while urging the international community to stop the "aggression" unconditionally.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2003)