Xtreme newbie: sending xml requests to server

[Jeff]

Hey

PHP 4.4.2

$url = 'http://webservices.amazon.com/onca/xml?Service=AWSECommerceService'
.. '&AWSAccessKeyId=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX'
.. '&Operation=ItemSearch&Keywords=business'
.. '&SearchIndex=Books'
.. '&Sort=salesrank';

I want to execute the text string above and then store the return value in a
variable. My ISP do not support SOAP... but PEAR is installed. Do you have
any suggestion for how to send this data to the server or functions that
you recommend me look up in the documention... ?

A little hint would be great!

Jeff