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US Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected in Ankara this week, presumably to seek more solid support from Turkey for the war against Iraq, the Anatolian News Agency on Monday reported.
Powell's visit appears to take place at a time of unprecedented tensions between Turkey and the United States.
To the great disappointment of Washington, Turkey has only agreed to give limited support to the United States in its war against Iraq.
After months of negotiations, Turkey agreed to provide support for the United States in its war against Iraq by opening only its airspace to US warplanes.
The decision, which fell far short of addressing an original US request to allow deployment of 62,000 US troops and 255 war planes on Turkish soil, has strained ties with the United States.
Replying to reporters' questions, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul confirmed that Powell would visit Turkey, saying there could not be anything more natural than mutual visits paid between the two allied countries.
Powell, who is said to come to Ankara on Wednesday, will hold contacts in Brussels before making way to Turkey.
(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2003)
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