Powell's deputy returns to Middle East to explain Iraq policy

ANKARA — The United States continues to urge Middle East nations to support sanctions on Baghdad amid a deadlock with the United Nations over the return of weapons inspectors to Iraq.

Two days after the Middle East tour of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, his deputy begins a visit to Arab and Islamic nations to explain U.S. policy toward Baghdad. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Edward Walker arrived in Ankara on Thursday to meet senior Turkish officials. From Turkey, Walker flies to Lebanon and Kuwait.

On Tuesday, Powell discussed U.S. policy on Iraq with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Walker's visit is meant to bolster coordination on policy toward Iraq amid Ankara's criticism that it was not informed of U.S. attacks from the Turkish air base at Incerlik.

Turkish officials were also miffed that Powell did not arrive in Ankara. Instead, the U.S. secretary met Cem in Brussels.

Walker is expected to point to failed efforts by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan to achieve the return of the weapons inspectors to Iraq. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Sahaf said Israel would have to be the first target of inspectors who seek weapons of mass destruction.

The London-based Al Zaman daily said Walker will also call on Turkey to place an oil pipeline from Iraq to Ceyhan under United Nations supervision. A similar request was made by Powell for the Iraqi-Syrian pipeline. Turkey has urged the lifting of economic sanctions from Iraq, a position that is supported by other neighbors of Baghdad.

Meanwhile, European diplomatic sources attributed the Feb. 16 attack on Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries around Baghdad to pressure from Britain. The sources said Britain feared that one of its fighter-jets would be downed by Iraq's increasingly improved air defense systems.

Unlike the United States, Britain does not have the electronic suppression warplanes to suppress Iraqi air defenses.