Now imagine what will happen if there are more successful insurgent attacks on Iraqi pipelines, or, perish the thought, instability in Saudi Arabia.

Turkey, which shut off an Iraqi pipeline through its territory to the Mediterranean, may suffer even greater losses and be even more eager for aid.

Americans can applaud President Ozal of Turkey; he will need, and deserves, financial help after cutting off the Iraqi pipeline through his depressed country.

"We are asking the Government of Turkey to cut the Iraqi pipeline," he said.

Turkey receives oil and derives substanial revenue from the Iraqi pipeline.

Federal investigators said the Iraqi pipeline, which was never built, had emerged as the main focus of Mr. McKay's inquiry.

Oil tankers bound for terminal points of the Iraqi pipelines would be turned away.

It would keep a heavy U.N. foot on Iraqi pipelines and keep France in the reconstruction contracts business.

Last month, Saudi Arabia approved another Iraqi pipeline that will carry 1.5 million barrels a day to Yanbu.

The Saudis, acting, say, in response to a request by the international community, could shut off the Iraqi pipeline across their territory to the Red Sea.