Iraq responds to Colin Powell threat

NICOSIA —Iraq has dismissed the prospect that the incoming administration of President-elect George W. Bush will intensify the U.S. campaign against Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi officials said the threat by Bush's designated secretary of state, Colin Powell, that Saddam's days are numbered, do not frighten Baghdad.

"Powell's threats do not frighten us and they will not make us bow," Iraqi air defense commander Gen. Shahin Mohammed Yassin said. "Let him make threats. Others have done the same before him."

Iraqi officials said they expect a further erosion of United Nations sanctions under a Bush administration. They said Iraq violates no-fly zones in southern and northern parts of the country.

The Bush team has pledged to intensify efforts to topple Saddam and tighten sanctions. Their pledges have encouraged the London-based Iraqi National Congress, which expects the incoming administration to release $97 million for the opposition.

"Saddam Hussein is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in a few years' time," Powell said. "We are in the strong position. He is in the weak position."

Israeli defense officials said they expect Bush to be tougher with Iraq than the Clinton administration.

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz agreed that no change will be seen under a Bush administration. "Be the American government Republican or Democrat, there will be no change in American policy," he said. "In America, there's an institution that governs: that's money, which confers power."

On Sunday, Turkey's parliament extended the mandate of U.S. and British planes to use Turkey as a base for missions in Iraq for another six months. Earlier, Iraq had urged Ankara to withdraw such permission.

Still, Iraq continues to benefit from widening economic contacts. The Paris-based Alcatel will reportedly install a telecommunications station in Iraq next year in a UN-approved contract worth $7 million.

The 75-channel station is meant to improve Iraq's international lines. Iraq has signed seven accords with Alcatel.