US Secretary of State Colin Powell Saturday emphatically rejected a move by Iraq inviting the chief United Nations weapons inspector to Baghdad to discuss the resumption of inspections halted amid acrimony in December 1998. The offer, which coincided with a new flurry of speculation about a possible US attack on Iraq, had earlier drawn an equally skeptical reaction from Washington's closest Western ally Britain, but broad support from Russia, which opposes US military action.

Powell, speaking to reporters ahead of meetings with Philippine officials in Manila, accused Iraq of attempting to "change the goalposts" and wriggle out of their obligations. (Read photo caption)

"The goal has to be disarmament and removal of all capacity for weapons of mass destruction," he said.

"The Iraqis have constantly tried to find their way around their obligations with respect to inspections.

"They understand what is required of them and there is no need for further clarification or discussion of a comprehensive approach. It is clear, it is spelled out, inspections aren't the issue, disarmament is the issue."

In a letter delivered Thursday to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Baghdad invited UN weapons inspector Hans Blix for talks that could lead to the resumption of inspections, halted in December 1998.

While Annan welcomed the letter, his spokesman Fred Eckhard said Iraq's proposal was "at variance with the (procedure) laid down by the Security Council" in 1999.

Iraq's initiative coincided with growing speculation that US President George W. Bush was considering military action to overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

"The goal is not inspections for inspections' sake, the goal has to be disarmament. The United States continues to believe that regime change will still be in the best interest of the Iraqi people," Powell said Saturday.

He added that there had been no decision to press ahead with any military action against Iraq.

Earlier, US National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack said Iraq had an obligation to allow inspections of its suspected weapons of mass destruction programs, "anytime, anywhere."

"We've made pretty clear (to the UN) what we think should be done."

The White House signaled that the Iraqi gesture would have no impact on Bush's hard-line policy towards Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whom he would like to see overthrown.

"The president's view is that we need a regime change in Iraq and he continues to consider all options in regard to that," said White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan.

A senior State Department official meanwhile called on Baghdad to provide "complete, unfettered access to inspectors, leading to disarmament."

Britain has also reacted to the offer with suspicion.

"Saddam has a long history of playing games. As his track record shows, he does not deliver," said a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office.

Baghdad's invitation was made in a letter Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri sent Thursday.

"I have the honor of informing you of the Iraqi government's desire to hold in Baghdad a new round of technical talks between Iraqi experts and the chief UN weapons inspector as soon as possible," Sabri said in the letter.

PHOTO CAPTION

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gestures during a press conference at the presidential palace in Manila on August 3, 2002. Powell arrived in the capital on Friday, his last stop in a eight-nation tour in Asia. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)
- Aug 03 1:58 AM ET