The prospect of a delay until April of a US-led war on Iraq prompted Baghdad yesterday to mix some cooperation with defiance as it strove to head off an invasion that Washington says would rid it of banned weapons.
Turkey's surprise decision to block US troops from launching an attack into neighboring Iraq has upset plans for a mid-March attack, and Iraq scrapped more al-Samoud 2 missiles in its bid to show the world it was complying with UN demands.
The US has already dismissed the Iraqi efforts as a sham, and said it is ready to attack President Saddam Hussein's Iraq whether or not the divided UN Security Council approves a new resolution authorizing war.
Washington has signalled it will push the resolution to a vote next week despite misgivings in the 15-member Council. Veto-holders France, Russia and China say UN arms inspectors in Iraq should be given more time, and Moscow underlined its opposition yesterday.
"We believe it is becoming increasingly groundless and unjustified to put the Anglo-American draft resolution to a vote," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov told Interfax news agency.
Whatever the outcome of a vote, US officials and defense experts say Turkey's opposition to up to 60,000 US troops launching a "northern front" against Iraq from its territory could delay an attack until late March or early April.
They say Saturday's decision by Turkey's parliament could also spark problems over control of northern Iraq's oil fields, which could be destroyed by Iraq or seized by Kurds in the Kurdish-controlled region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, whose country stands to lose up to US$30 billion in grants and loan guarantees offered by Washington in return for support in any war, indicated yesterday the government was considering a new parliamentary motion on the US troops, although he gave no date.
Asked about a new draft, he said, "We are evaluating it both within the party and the government." But he said, "There are some answers we are expecting [from the US]. Those answers have yet to arrive."
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, speaking as more than 230,000 US and British troops massed in the Gulf region for a possible invasion, said Turkey had made the situation "more complicated" but stressed a tight timetable had been set.
"The president has said the timetable is weeks not months. He said that just over a month ago and nothing has changed that timetable," he said.
Analysts say the delay could stretch for two weeks or more, possibly into April after the new moon that would increase the US advantage in night-fighting.
If Ankara finally says "no," US forces designated for Turkey might have to go instead to Kuwait for a march northward.
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