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A war in Iraq still looms large as the United States continues to build up its military presence in the Gulf region while Iraq stresses that it is ready for dialogue if the US abandons its aggressive plans against Iraq.
Along with the troop movements, senior US and British officials are also visiting the region.
US Commander Lands in Turkey
US European Forces Commander Burwell Bell on Friday started to inspect air bases and ports in Turkey that would be used in a possible US-led war on Iraq.
Bell visited the ports of Iskenderun and Mersin and then proceeded to the Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana to inspect site preparations. Site preparations at the bases and ports have been accelerated as the war looms.
On Wednesday, the United States offloaded armored vehicles and ammunition at Iskenderun in the southeastern province of Hatay.
It was not clear whether the arrival of the military equipment was in line with an agreement allowing the United States to upgrade bases in Turkey.
Earlier this month, Turkey agreed to allow the United States to modernize its air bases and ports for use in any war.
Hundreds of US technical personnel and equipment have arrived in Turkey for the renovation work.
Turkey has yet to approve an urgent request from Washington to allow deployment of US troops on its soil as a diplomatic wrangle continues between the two sides on the size of an aid package designed to bolster Turkey's fragile economy if a war breaks out.
British Defence Secretary to Visit Middle-East
British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon will visit Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates next week for talks possibly focusing on Iraq with senior ministers of those countries, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.
Hoon, who is expected in the region from Feb. 24 to 26, will also visit British troops there, the ministry said in a press release.
During his time in Kuwait, Iraq's neighboring country, Hoon was expected to make a major speech on the British government's policy towards Iraq and the Middle East region, the ministry said.
Britain, the staunchest US ally on disarming Iraq by force if necessary, has so far committed about 42,000 troops to the Gulf region for a possible US-led action.
Powell Repeats Proposal for Saddam to step Down
As the US and Britain are busy with military preparations, US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday repeated a call for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to give up power as a way to avoid war though few believe that Saddam would leave his post willingly.
"We don't want to see war. War must always be a last resort, but it must be a resort," Powell said in an interview with Russia's RTR Television.
"I hope it (war) can be avoided," he said. "But the one who has the power in his hands to decide whether there will be war or peace is Saddam Hussein. If he complies, or if he leaves the country tomorrow, there will be no war."
However, Powell said, the problem is Saddam Hussein "has shown no signs of leaving the country and he still shows no signs of complying."
He called on the international community and the United Nations? to impose its will when faced with a nation like Iraq that simply ignores the will of the international community."
Iraq Wants to Talk Conditionally
Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said on Friday his country is ready for dialog with the United States and its allies if the United States abandons its war plans against Iraq.
"Iraq is also willing to establish economic ties with the United States and its allies if it abandons its war attempt," Ramadan told Iraq's Al Shabab Television, which is run by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's eldest son Uday.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi No. 2 figure stressed the Iraqi government and people are ready to fight against any possible US-led aggression.
Ramadan also said he would lead a Iraqi delegation to attend the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, scheduled on Feb. 24-25 in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
He would bring with him documents, tapes and other information to the summit to demonstrate "Iraq's cooperation with the UN disarmament inspectors, the truth about the harm done to Iraq."
He hoped that the summit would issue a final communique rejecting the use of force in any conflicts, he said.
Russia: No Need to Adopt Second Resolution
US and Britain are expected to table a second UN resolution on Monday in a bid to gain support for using force to disarm Iraq, but a large majority of the 15 Security Council members remain firmly against war.
"Since Iraq is cooperating more actively with UN inspectors and responding to their specific requests and proposals, there is no need for the UN Security Council to adopt a new resolution," Russia's ambassador to the United Nations Sergei Lavrov said.
Asked what Russia's position would be if the new resolution is introduced, Lavrov said it depended on how it was worded.
France has also voiced opposition to a new resolution with President Jacques Chirac having said on Monday: "it is not necessary now to have a second resolution, which France can only oppose."
In order to ensure a new resolution on Iraq, the Anglo-American alliance has to win at least nine votes out of the 15 Security Council members and not attract a veto from any of the five permanent council members, France, China and Russia as well as the United States and Britain.
(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2003)
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