Potential backers bargain for cash, diplomatic aid
The race is on to squeeze money out of United States

Jan Cienski
National Post

Monday, February 24, 2003
WASHINGTON - Building an alliance against Iraq is proving to be an expensive business as Turkey and a host of other countries line up to demand a dollop of U.S. aid or help in some crucial diplomatic matter before signing up.
Turkey is the champion so far, holding out for US$5-billion in grants and another US$10-billion in loans to allow more than 40,000 U.S. troops to use Turkish bases from which to strike south into Iraq.
But the race to squeeze cash out of Uncle Sam is a fierce one.
Israel, already the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid at about US$3-billion yearly, sent a delegation to Washington to try to get US$12-billion more. About one-third of that would be military aid and the rest would be loan guarantees to help the Israeli economy through its current rough patch.
Although Israel is an enthusiastic proponent of invading Iraq -- a historic enemy -- Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister, has been under fierce U.S. pressure not to strike back against Iraq in the event Saddam Hussein fires missiles in a repeat of his behaviour during the 1991 Gulf War. During that war, Israel stayed its hand despite being hit by 39 Iraqi Scuds.
This time around, Israel has threatened to respond with force, refusing to rule out even a nuclear attack, if Saddam lobs chemical or biological weapons at the Jewish state, a response that would inflame the Arab world and destroy the coalition the United States is trying to patch together.
While the stakes are not as high with other partners, the dash for cash is still on.
Egypt is hoping for a big increase in its US$1.3-billion in yearly aid to offset expected losses to its crucial tourist industry, sure to be devastated in the event of war. Egypt also wants to negotiate a free-trade deal with the United States.
Another front-line state, Jordan, is hoping for at least US$1-billion to make up for economic losses; Iraq is one of its largest trading partners. The United States last year completed a free-trade agreement with Jordan and has sold it 16 F-16 fighters.
In the first Gulf War, Jordan uneasily sat on the fence, but this time it is providing bases for U.S. special forces, reported to already be conducting missions in Iraq's desert west.
Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is also looking for a handout.
Moscow wants repayment of the more than US$8-billion it is owed by Iraq and a promise of a stake in future lucrative oil contracts in Iraq.
Russia is also looking for diplomatic help in its brutal war with Chechnya. To that end, the United States is preparing to place three Chechen militant groups on its list of terrorist organizations, "a good signal" according to Sergei Yastrzemsky, the Kremlin's top advisor on Chechnya.
Other Security Council members are being wooed by the United States, which desperately needs their votes to pass a resolution condemning Iraq, likely to be offered this week.
Mexico is trying to ease restrictions on illegal immigrants to the United States and to get the U.S. government to accept identity cards issued by Mexican consulates as official ID, something that would make migrants' lives much easier.
The three African members of the Security Council, Angola, Guinea and Cameroon, have been host to hastily arranged visits from Walter Kansteiner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has already received calls from George W. Bush, the U.S. President, and from Dick Cheney, the Vice-President, asking his country for support on the Security Council.
Pakistan, currently a temporary member of the Security Council, made out like a bandit during the attack on Afghanistan. U.S. sanctions levied after Pakistan became a nuclear power and its military staged a coup were lifted and U.S. aid poured in. Now Pakistan is hoping for more financial rewards.
In the last year, other alliances have been firmed up by U.S. aid and weapons.
Bulgaria, one of Washington's strongest allies on the Security Council, was admitted to NATO, a longstanding goal.
Poland, a country that vies for the title of Washington's best friend in Europe, last year signed a deal to buy 48 F-16s with a sweetheart US$3.8-billion below-market loan and promises of additional billions in investment.
The United States insists it is not buying support.
"We have broad relationships with countries but we don't offer quid pro quos," said Richard Boucher, the State Department spokesman.
But there are costs to crossing Washington, as Yemen found out in 1990 when it joined Cuba in voting against the UN resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq for invading Kuwait.
"'That was the most expensive 'no' vote you ever cast," a U.S. diplomat told the Yemeni ambassador. Within days, a US$70-million aid program was stopped.