ANKARA (A.A) - Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs Adm. MichaelMullen said on Saturday that he did not come to Turkey to discuss shipping ofheavy equipment or weapons through Turkish soil while withdrawing from Iraq.Admiral Mullen told a news conference at the U.S. Embassy Building in Ankarathat they never passed weapons through Turkey, noting they did not have anyintention to do this.Commenting on his visit to Turkey, Admiral Mullen said the United Statesuses Turkey's infrastructure for the entrance and exit of the teams in areas ofoperation and relies on Turkey.Admiral Mullen said other news reports apart from this were baseless andwrong. He said the U.S. was grateful to Turkey for the support of the Turkishgovernment for flights and base and land access.Admiral Mullen said Turkey and the United States were not only allies but atthe same time very good friends, and noted that most of the interests and theproblems they faced were similar.(more)(AY)