Can I create a Service Catalog item using the REST API service?

Can I create a Service Catalog item using the REST API service?

In our environment we don't use Incidents, everything is submitted using the Service Catalog (don't ask me why). I am able to create an incident using the REST service call shown below, but I am unable to create an entry similar to the ones submitted through the Service Catalog.

Can someone tell me if this is possible, and if so, how?

http://sdp01:8081/sdpapi/request/?OPERATION_NAME=ADD_REQUEST&TECHNICIAN_KEY=Y7853419-FD1C-4A72-B280-7DE3B53CB7E1&INPUT_DATA=<operation><details><requester>Greg Benson</requester><subject>Test Subject</subject><description>Test Description</description><callbackURL> http://sdp01:8081/CustomReportHandler.do</callbackURL><requesttemplate>myPort Support</requesttemplate><group></group><priority></priority><site>Administration Building</site><technician>Greg Benson</technician><status>1. Open</status><sla>myPort Page – Defect / Problem</sla></details></operation>

The problem is that there is a business rule which automatically closes any Incidents created.
I'm not exactly sure what the difference is between them and requests created from the Service Catalog.

Thanks,
Jonathan