Horse Trading On Iraq

By Marguerite Michaels and Karen Tumulty

In refusing to allow U.S. troops to use its military bases in a war on Iraq, Turkey turned its back on some pretty sweet inducements. The U.S. had offered Turkey $15 billion in loans and grants, and even promised that U.S. troops would wear Turkish textiles, breaking the Pentagon's long-standing "Buy American" policy. The U.S. still needs nine of 15 votes to pass a new resolution in the U.N. Security Council, and the horse trading in an effort to woo backing continues:

--BULGARIA One of the U.S.'s staunchest backers on Iraq has already received a nice thank-you. On a tour to tell Eastern Europe "how much we appreciate them" for their support, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans last week gave Bulgaria a special treat: he announced that the U.S. now officially considers the country a "market economy." That will lay out a welcome mat to investors.

--RUSSIA Faced with the threat of a Russian veto in the Security Council, the State Department designated three Chechen rebel groups as "terrorist organizations," a step Moscow had been urging. But what Russia really needs is a guarantee of oil contracts in a post-Saddam Iraq and a repayment of $8 billion that Iraq owes Russia.

--MEXICO President Vicente Fox wants Washington's help on a measure granting legal status to undocumented Mexicans working in the U.S. And the U.S. is a crucial trading partner, accounting for 80% of Mexico's exports. But antiwar sentiment in Mexico is high, which may weigh heavily.

--CHILE This Security Council member has argued for giving more time to the U.N. inspectors. But it has a trade deal with Washington that needs congressional approval.

--ANGOLA Recovering from a long civil war, it wants U.S. help in finding donors to rebuild. But two can play this game: France is promising a home in exile for Angola's President. --By Marguerite Michaels and Karen Tumulty