Iraq rushes to destroy missiles

NORTH of Baghdad yesterday, drivers climbed onto yellow bulldozers to pulverise missiles and warheads. To the south, workers donned welding gear and used cutting torches to dismember giant metal casting chambers.

Iraq is rushing to prove to the UN that it is complying with disarmament orders. But the actions may be too little, too late to prevent a US led war.

As US generals commanding about 225,000 troops in the region declare themselves ready to attack Iraq, weapons inspectors are suddenly receiving Iraqi co-operation on a swarm of issues that have dogged them for months.