The recent visit of US defense undersecretary Paul Wolfowtis to Turkey and Monday's message of US President George W. Bush for the Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit are all indicative of an increase in debates of US officials with their Turkish counterparts over the anticipated US strikes on Iraq.

The increasing talks and debates between the two countries is a question mark for the public opinion of the region. If these debates are to be considered as preparations to US adventurist policies in Iraq, could they also mean that Ankara will support the US attacks? And that what is Evevit looking for in Turkey's support for the attacks considering that the country is entangled in a state of political and economic chaos? There is no doubt that Wolfodis' visit to Ankara and President Bush's message for Ecevit are basically meant to solicit the Turkish support to attack Iraq. In fact, now that regional conditions of 1992 do not, and that almost all regional countries are against US adventurism, Turkey remains to be Washington's one-and-only supporter in the region for its war campaign on Iraq.

The US is trying to lay the ground to better use the Turkish territory for its war campaign against Iraq, and has already started debates to the effect. Given the fact that Ankara and Washington had in several cases before been cooperating with each other regarding several regional issues, it would be no surprise if Turkey once again agrees to help the US in its campaign against Iraq.

The current economic woes that have far emaciated Turkey would be a contributing factor that Ankara nods to US request for cooperation, for it undoubtedly cannot afford the risk of US pressure on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank not to provide Ankara with financial loans.

Besides, Turkish officials, including Prime Minister Ecevit, who seem to be voicing objection at US attacks on Iraq are actually debating with Washington so that the US may turn a blind eye on Turkey's debts for its purchases of military warfare. Turkey is even trying to persuade the US for unconditional loans in return for Ankara's support for the US military action against Baghdad.

Furthermore, any attempt to exaggerate Iraq's developments in Turkey and to propagate US plans to attack the country would definitely be in the interest of Prime Minister Ecevit. By using a propaganda on regional instability, the Turkish premier will try to see to it that his term in office will be extended by relying on a propaganda regardless to the opposition of his rival political parties.

In conclusion, it must be indicated that although the Turkish public opinion is against US adventurism in the region, Ankara should forged a yet more stronger integrity with other regional states. The need for such integrity is specially felt when considering that any cooperation with the forces from outside the Middle East will hurt the confidence of regional countries, and US war-mongering policies will have a negative impact for the Turkish economy besides jeopardizing regional security.