US urged to delay attack plans

NEW YORK - United Nations arms inspectors are expected to report today that Iraq has still failed to answer key questions, providing possible fresh ammunition for Washington's case for war.

As the world watched for clues on how close fingers were to triggers for war, European Union president Greece said yesterday that it would launch a peace mission, United States President George W. Bush met his top general and Iraq fired new salvoes of defiant words.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Britain is pressing for war against Iraq to be delayed for several months, possibly until the northern autumn, to give weapons inspectors more time to provide clear evidence of new violations by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Ministers and senior officials believe there is no clear legal case for military action despite the build-up of American and British forces in the Gulf.

Senior diplomats have told the British Government that there is a good chance of securing UN Security Council approval for military action later in the year if Saddam can be shown unambiguously to be defying the disarmament conditions set out in resolution 1441.

"The Prime Minister has made it clear that, unless there is a smoking gun, the inspectors have to be given time to keep searching," a senior Whitehall source told the newspaper.

UN experts said on the eve of the report to the Security Council that Iraq had not cleared up issues about biological and chemical programmes, including 6000 missing poison gas bombs.

But Hans Blix, in charge of chemical, biological and ballistic arms inspections, and International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Mohamed ElBaradei have made clear their teams have not been in Iraq long enough to uncover any weapons of mass destruction.

Washington and London say they have intelligence Iraq has such weapons and have threatened war unless Iraq comes clean. Iraq denies having any nuclear, biological or chemical arms.

A fuller report by Blix and ElBaradei on January 27 is widely seen as possible showdown time for war if Iraq fails to satisfy the weapons inspectors. But diplomats say that report may not include any dramatic disclosures either.

Greece's announcement that it would lead an EU mission to Arab states surprised other members of the bloc whose attitudes on Iraq vary from staunch British support for Washington to Germany's refusal to get involved in combat.

The trip was timed to start around the time of the Security Council's January 27 meeting.

In the now daily war of words between Baghdad and Washington, Saddam warned the US it might have superiority in the air but the American GI's 21st-century kit would count for nothing in face-to-face fighting.

US Army General Tommy Franks, due to lead any American war against Iraq, briefed Bush and his national security team yesterday as the US and British military build-up in the Gulf region gathered pace.

The Australian Government yesterday confirmed troops would be ready for any military action against Iraq but played down the prospect of an imminent offensive.

The Australian said Special Air Services troops had had their leave cancelled and were preparing to be briefed on what to expect in Iraq.

A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Robert Hill said that although contingency plans had been made, there was no change in the Government's position on the possibility of war against Iraq.

"We have made no commitment to any campaign in Iraq."

- AGENCIES
Herald feature: Iraq