US in war of words with ‘old Europe’

WASHINGTON was last night locked in a transatlantic war of words over the ever-increasing likelihood of war with Iraq.

Both US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld complained at the anti-war stances taken by the leaders of France and Germany.

However, flanked by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the State Department, Gulf War Chief of the Defence Staff Powell said: "I don't think we will have to worry about going it alone."

Even as France and Germany stiffened their resistance to using force to disarm Iraq.

Powell insisted: "I am sure it will be a strong coalition."

Declaring Iraq's failure to disarm "a challenge that must be met," he said many nations would fight alongside American forces if the US went to war without US Security Council approval. Mr Straw, who held talks with Powell at the State Department, said: "There are still ways that this can be resolved peacefully."

However, in a clear response to European sceptics, he said all 15 members of the Security Council who unanimously approved a resolution in November authorising weapons searches "knew what they were saying" when they warned of serious consequences if Iraq did not get rid of its weapons.

Chafing over criticism of the US policy on Iraq, Powell said he sees no need for further inspections before moving ahead with enforcement of UN resolutions requiring Saddam Hussein to disarm.

The burgeoning dispute between the US and some of its allies could hamper efforts to reach a consensus next week when the monitors report on 60 days of searches and the UN Security Council considers its next moves. The White House sought to minimise the dispute. Presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "the president is confident that Europe will heed the call."

Fleischer acknowledged, however, that "it's entirely possible that France won't be on the line."

Among supportive European nations, Fleischer mentioned Britain, Italy, Spain and "virtually all of the Eastern European countries."

As the dispute heated up, leaders reacted angrily to Defence Secretary Rumsfeld's dismissal of France and Germany as "old Europe", saying the comments underscore US arrogance.

French Finance Minister Francis Mer said he was "profoundly vexed" by the remarks.

"I wanted to remind everyone that this 'old Europe' has resilience, and is capable of bouncing back," he said. "And it will show it, in time." Rumsfeld, joining the transatlantic debate over inspections, said Germany and France were "a problem."

However, Powell said the administration anxiously awaits the report of inspectors to the UN on Monday and would consider its next steps at that time.

"To say never mind now, or walk away from this problem or allow it to be strung out, I think, would be a defeat for the international community," said Powell.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbours met to discuss ways to avert a conflict and urge Baghdad to co-operate more with UN arms inspectors.

Foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbours Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as Egypt, met in a former Ottoman palace in Turkey.

"We only have one item on the agenda and that is how to help Iraq avoid a military strike," said Mahmoud Mubarak, the assistant foreign minister of Egypt.