"We're aware that members of Congress have some strong opinions on this, but the president does think, given Turkey's economic circumstances, it is appropriate, it is the right policy," said spokesman Ari Fleischer.

Before the war began March 20, the Turkish parliament narrowly voted against allowing coalition forces to use its territory to establish a northern front.

But Turkey has since mitigated that decision, first allowing allied planes to overfly its territory into Iraq, then, during a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell Wednesday, giving allied forces the green light to set up resupply lines and eventually, a humanitarian aid route, across Turkey.

Fleischer also sharply downplayed Turkish warnings that Washington's NATO ally could send forces into neighboring northern Iraq on fears that Kurdish militants there may seek to carve out an independent state.

"That's nothing new. Turkey has been saying that for weeks. The important thing is that Turkey has not taken any action. They have not crossed the border," he said.

US concerns have "been directly expressed to the Kurdish authorities as well as to the Turkish authorities," said Fleischer. "We are pleased with the reactions of both."

US President George W. Bush "has said all along that it's important to maintain the territorial integrity of Iraq, and he means that," said the spokesman.

Ankara has repeatedly warned it would send troops into northern Iraq in case of an influx of refugees heading for the Turkish border or to deal with any threat posed by Turkish Kurdish rebels hiding in the region.

But it mainly fears a possible secession by Iraqi Kurds, a concern that has been heightened by recent advances of Kurdish fighters towards the oil-rich government-controlled cities of Mosul and Kirkuk.

SPACE.WIRE