Bush cranks up war talk despite more opposition

Iraq's refusal to allow United Nations inspectors to have unfettered interviews with its weapons scientists emerged yesterday as the issue that could tip an increasingly impatient United States into military action against Baghdad.

President George Bush deems Iraq's non-cooperation "unacceptable", his spokesman Ari Fleischer declared. "This is not a matter for negotiation, this is not a matter for debate. Saddam Hussein has no choice in the matter."

The warning from the White House, couched in especially stern language, came 72 hours before the report to the Security Council on the first two months' work of the inspectors. Though it is likely to be inconclusive – a "mixed bag" in the words of Hans Blix, the chief UN inspector – the Bush administration will see it as confirmation Iraq has not got rid of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes.

Instead US officials are seizing on the two areas where Baghdad seems to be digging in its heels: its refusal to allow the UN to operate U-2 spy plane flights over its territory, and lack of full access to the scientists.

Iraq's version is the scientists voluntarily ask for Iraqi minders to be present at the interviews and – of their own accord – decline to leave the country for the talks. But the US says they are too scared to talk.

"We know from multiple sources that Saddam has ordered any scientist who co- operates during interviews to be killed, along with their families," Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy secretary of defence, said as the White House built on efforts to persuade Americans – and a largely sceptical world.

Yesterday, Russia added its voice to those of France, Germany and China, arguing against a "rush to war", and insisting the inspectors be given time to complete the job.

"All political options must be exhausted and the inspectors must be allowed the time they need," President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder agreed in a phone conversation – 24 hours after Mr Bush tried to woo the Russian leader.

A senior American official insisted Washington had "very convincing evidence" that Iraq has an extensive weapons programme, which it would present "at the appropriate moment". According to John Bolton, under-secretary of state for arms control, the arsenal includes long-range missiles, banned for Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War, as well as the chemical and biological weapons Washington maintains President Saddam still possesses.

But with America seemingly bent on war, the split on the Security Council is, if anything, widening. President Putin and Chancellor Schröder agreed to oppose military intervention. A second resolution declaring President Saddam in breach of resolution 1441, and explicitly authorising the use of force, looks more unlikely than ever.

Amid reports Iraqi troops are being equipped for chemical warfare, President Saddam's son Uday Hussein warned that a war would be a "calamity" for America.

* Americans living abroad are being warned by the State Department to be ready to leave their resident country quickly in an emergency. The message being relayed through embassies advises citizens to keep their passports up to date and maintain stocks of food and prescription medicines.