Invasion nears as US seek support from NATO

PREPARATIONS for the invasion of Iraq moved a step closer yesterday as the United States formally asked its NATO allies for indirect military assistance, including the deployment of missiles to protect Turkey.

NATO officials said the allies were asked to deploy early warning and surveillance aircraft and Patriot air defence missiles to protect Turkey - a likely base for any US-led air strikes on Iraq - from Iraqi missile or air attack.

The move came as Russia confirmed it was sending a top diplomat to Baghdad to help avert war and UN weapons inspectors swooped on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's main palace compound in Baghdad.

The Pentagon has already sent ships, planes and thousands of troops to the Gulf region in preparation for a possible war against Iraq.

Almost 75,000 US troops have passed through Shannon Airport en route to the Gulf in preparation for war.

The US and NATO attempted to play down yesterday's request for missile assistance to defend Turkey, saying the US would wait for the United Nations weapons inspectors to report before taking any action. US President George W Bush said he has neither set a timetable nor made a decision, but he displayed increasing frustration saying he was "sick and tired" of Saddam's "games and deception".

US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet on January 31 at Camp David, four days after UN arms inspectors report to the UN Security Council on their progress in the hunt for banned Iraqi weapons.

NATO officials said Washington had tabled a proposal for six forms of NATO support, including access to airspace, bases, ports and refuelling facilities, but none of which would entail direct involvement by the 19-nation NATO alliance in an attack on Iraq.

"These are prudent contingency proposals so that in the event that we would be called upon to show solidarity with Turkey, we would be positioned militarily to do so," one NATO official said.

The request also included using standing naval forces and minesweepers.

NATO officials said consultations were at an early stage and no decision had been taken on the US request. Ambassadors were expected to seek instructions from their governments and discuss the issue again next week.

Several European allies, notably France and Germany, say the United States and Britain would require a fresh United Nations Security Council mandate to use force against Baghdad. Germany has said it would not participate in any attack on Iraq, even with a UN blessing.

Britain gave a thumbs up yesterday to the United States' planned missile defence shield, allowing Washington to use a radar base in northern England despite widespread opposition.

The US asked Britain in December to approve the upgrading of early warning radar systems at Fylingdales to allow its missile defence programme to go ahead.

Meanwhile, weapons inspectors descended on President Saddam Hussein's main palace compound in Baghdad yesterday, inspecting government buildings, but stayed away from the Iraqi leader's offices.

Other teams scoured 12 other sites yesterday, including a chicken farm near Baghdad, in their search for alleged nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.