Franco-German opposition to Iraq war irks US

As the diplomatic wrangling over war headed toward an impasse, the top US general said the United States can sustain a major force in the Gulf for several months if needed.

President George W Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell led the offensive against French and German opposition to conflict.

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Bush said the evidence was "incredibly troubling and disturbing" and demanded Baghdad be held to account while Powell questioned whether France and Germany were serious about disarming Iraq.

"Saddam Hussein is not disarming like the world has told him he must do," Bush said in a speech in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Bush, who has also rebuked France and Germany for their positions, said Saddam was using "lessons from the past" to thwart UN inspectors.

The president also warned Iraqi military leaders they would face war crimes trials if they attack US troops or their own people with banned chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Powell said comments from his French and German counterparts at the United Nations this week had hindered the efforts to disarm Baghdad, suggesting they were ignoring the threat posed by Saddam.

"Frankly, there are some nations in the world who would like to simply turn away from this problem, pretend it isn't there," he told PBS.

"They are troubled by the consequences of going down this road of the requirements of 1441, which is ultimately the use of force if Iraq does not comply."

He referred to UN Security Council resolution 1441 which warns of "serious consequences" if Baghdad does not comply.

The United States was angered after French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said there was no justification for war at the moment and that UN weapons inspectors should be allowed to finish their work.

Germany has said it will not support conflict with Iraq under any circumstances.

French President Jacques Chirac said at a joint appearance with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Paris that the two nations "have the same judgement on the Iraq crisis" and that "everything must be done to avoid war."

Powell said he was particularly concerned de Villepin had undermined the focus of the council's anti-terrorism meeting Monday by saying there was nothing to justify a military strike against Iraq.

Powell said he had a "candid and honest forthright exchange of views" with the French minister Tuesday.

Bush has threatened to lead a coalition without UN approval if necessary to disarm Iraq.

The White House said Bush was likely to make public additional information about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and its links to terrorist groups, should he choose the military option.

The United States meanwhile forged ahead with its military buildup, adding 20,000 reservists to the nearly already on active duty as US aircraft carriers and other warships steamed for the Gulf.

The United States is expected to have more than 150,000 troops in the region by mid-February.

General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the United States could maintain a major force in the Gulf for several months while the diplomatic battle goes on.

Myers said the US military had detected hints of unrest within Iraq's leadership, but said it was not known whether the Iraqi military would fight if there is a war.

But Iraq's 23 divisions -- around 400,000 troops -- should be regarded as a credible force, he added.

Top administration officials have encouraged Saddam to go into exile with his family, and the US military has tried to foment dissension within the leadership with e-mails, leaflets and public statements.