U.S. DISCUSSES BASING RIGHTS WITH MIDEAST ALLIES

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States plans to discuss a revising of basingrights with Middle East allies. Officials said the Bush administration has launched talks with suchallies as Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Tunisia, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia andTurkey for basing rights. They said the Defense Department and StateDepartment seek to promote a newconcept of basing that will not mean a permanent military presence in anyMiddle East state.