In letters and testimony to Congress, national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage urged legislators to grant the full amount despite their anger over the Turkish parliament's refusal to allow US troops to deploy there for the Iraq invasion.

"It would have a grievous effect on the markets in Turkey if this billion dollars were not granted," Armitage told a House budget subcommittee.

"The announcement that the administration had put it in ... actually lifted the markets in Turkey, so I think you could expect quite a shock if it didn't go through," he said.

Armitage's comments echoed points he made in a letter sent earlier Thursday to lawmakers and a similar one written by Rice, both urging that the money be approved so as not to further damage US ties with key NATO ally Turkey.

Both noted that since the Turkish parliament's stunning rejection of basing rights on March 1, Ankara had come forward with overflight rights for US warplanes and had this week agreed to provide logistical support for operations in northern Iraq.

Lawmakers who received Rice's letter said she had pointed out that Turkey had been helpful and had come out in support of the US-led coalition against Iraq during Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit there Wednesday.

"Despite the recent difficulties, the president is devoted to maintaining the strategic partnership that has existed between the United States and Turkey for almost 60 years," said Rice's letter, dated April 3.

Armitage also pointed out that Rice said the billion-dollar aid package, parts of which can be leveraged into loans worth more than eight billion dollars, was not intended only as a reward for cooperation in the war.

"American and Turkish soldiers stood side by side during the Cold War and on battlefields from Korea to Afghanistan," Rice's letter said.

"The president's supplemental request recognizes and reflects that past and his desire to strengthen the relationship further."

Armitage said the money is as much to prevent a long-time ally from going under as it is a recognition of overflight rights.

"The biggest irony ever would be if we expend so much treasure and, unfortunately, blood to liberate Iraq only to find that the next-door neighbor who has been a long-time ally of ours, goes bottoms up because of economic problems," he said.

US lawmakers have angrily questioned whether Ankara is deserving of the assistance given the vote on deployment.

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