Bush fills key Mideast policy positions

WASHINGTON — President George Bush has chosen two veterans to key Middle East policy posts in his administration.

Administration sources said the appointment of Marc Grossman and Richard Haas reflect Bush's intent to improve relations with Turkey and maintain sanctions on Iraq.

Grossman, a former ambassador to Turkey, was appointed undersecretary of state for political affairs. The post is the third highest in the State Department. Grossman is regarded as a strong supporter of Turkey and Ankara's alliance with Israel.

Haas was appointed director of policy planning at the State Department and will deal with U.S. peace-making efforts in the Middle East. Haas, who served Bush's father, has been critical of the Clinton administration's policy in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Haas is regarded as a leading opponent of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and a proponent of a reconciliation with Iran. Haas is expected to be eclipsed by John Hannah, appointed Middle East adviser to Vice President Richard Cheney.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said the Bush administration would not deal with the peace process to the exclusion of other issues in the Middle East. "At the same time, we want to make sure that the search for peace — the quest for peace is seen in a broad regional context so that the quest doesn't stand in and of itself," Powell said.

The Iraqi opposition plans to intensify its drive against the Saddam regime. The Iraqi National Congress said it was sending envoys to northern Iraq to begin opposition activities.

Bush has still to appoint the number two post in the State Department. The frontrunner is Richard Armitage, a senior official under the Reagan administration.