U.S. sweetens pot for war allies.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Stephen J. Hedges and Catherine Collins

WASHINGTON _ When U.S. and Turkish officials meet Monday in Ankara to discuss Turkey's potential role in any war with Iraq, they are to examine something called a Memorandum of Understanding. This is, in fact, a bid _ the price the Bush administration is willing to pay for the use of Turkey's military bases, airfields and ports.

The memorandum offers more than $4 billion in U.S. loans and grants, according to a Western diplomat in Istanbul, and represents a "significant step forward" in the Bush administration's efforts to add a critical ally to its "coalition of the willing" against Iraq.

"The United States has presented what we consider to be a credible offer," the diplomat said. "We have tried to design a package to give Turkey as much flexibility as possible."

The package reveals Washington's eagerness to secure the use of Turkey as a vital land bridge into northern Iraq. It also illustrates the powerful economic and diplomatic levers that President Bush wields as he rallies allies against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

In the Persian Gulf region alone over the past two years, the United States has sold, lent or given away an estimated $7.5 billion worth of weaponry, other military equipment and training assistance, according to State Department figures. Recipients have included such vital U.S. allies as Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

The deals include advanced fighter jets, radar systems and missiles. Airfields are being expanded. Military bases are being renovated.