World News 17-12-2002 300,000 Troops To Wage War On Iraq who: General Colin Powell what: Says he is not satisfied with Iraq`s weapons declaration as allies prepare for war when: Yesterday snippet: "Colin Powell, the US secretary of state, gave a hint yesterday that the White House will reject the Iraqi weapons declaration," reports The Guardian, "saying there were problems with the 12,000-page document." "Mr Powell said last night that he will wait until he sees Hans Blix, the chief United Nations weapons inspector, before giving Washington`s final verdict," reports The Scotsman`s chief political correspondent, Jason Beattie. "But his first judgment, he said, was not positive." Meanwhile, The Sun says "a huge force of at least 300,000 Allied troops will be sent to Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein" and claims that the British Ministry of Defence plans to "hire ships to transport tanks to the Gulf" in preparation for a war in the new year. However, the MoD has been quick to issue a denial, reports The Evening Standard. "This is purely speculative," says a spokesman. "Military action is neither imminent nor inevitable and the diplomatic route is still being pursued." [... more]

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