News Analysis

• Blix orders Saddam to destroy banned Al-Samoud missiles and ElBaradei says "Still no full cooperation from Iraq" as Bush confidently prepares for new Iraq resolution.

  
  
• Preparations for war on Saddam almost complete as:
  
  -Turkey and US are close to deal on troops.
  -NATO approves Turkey mission by sidelining France and convincing Germany to shift stand on Iraq.
  -Military are ready with around 200,000 in the region.
  -Iraqis in Hungary for training by US military.
  -Islamic SCIRI fighters cross over into Iraq from Iran.

  
  
• Saddam begs the US to keep him in power in return for any economic, military or strategic interests. Saudis, worried about their rule, warn US over war on Saddam. But Powell says Saddam must leave Iraq to avoid war.

• Iraqi opposition hit out at US's plans for Iraq after Saddam.

You can find this online at http://www.iprospect.org.uk/na23feb.html