The leader of winning party in Turkey's elections said Monday he is opposed to a U.S. military strike against neighboring Iraq, unless approved by the United Nations. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party, which has Islamic roots, expressed hope that no U.S. strike against Iraq would take place if proof that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction emerged. "Our wish is that it ends with peace," he said.

Turkey's cooperation is crucial to any operation against Iraq. About 1,700 U.S. military forces are stationed in Turkey. Most are at Incirlik Air Base, where U.S. and British planes patrolling Iraq's northern "no-fly" zone are based. Incirlik was also a staging point for attacks on Iraq during the Gulf War.

Erdogan's statement was similar to other Turkish leaders' opposition to a strike against Iraq. Turkey fears a war would destabilize the region and harm Turkey's frail economy.

Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, the head of Turkey's military, is traveling to the United States this week for talks with U.S. officials about possible military action against Iraq.

Gen. Tommy Franks, the head of any future Iraq operation, visited Turkey last month.

Erdogan said there was no consensus about Iraq "like the one the world had before the Afghanistan war.... Even the American nation is not clear on it."

PHOTO CAPTION

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party, AKP, salutes supporters from a balcony of his party's headquarters in Ankara early Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. Early results showed the Justice and Development, which has roots in Turkey's Islamic movement, with a sharp lead. The banner in the background reads: ' Everything is for Turkey.' ( AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)