ElecTelegraph

By Benedict Brogan and David Rennie (Filed: 06/08/2002)

The United States yesterday urged countries around the world to protect themselves against a sudden rise in petrol prices by stockpiling fuel, amid growing signs that an invasion of Iraq is moving closer.

Kofi Annan: advised against an attack on Iraq while the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians remains unresolved Washington has begun to fill the underground caverns that hold its strategic petroleum reserves, in the interests of "overall energy security".

Although the American energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, refused to link the move to possible action against Saddam Hussein, it was one of the clearest hints yet that the Bush administration has stepped up military preparations.

A move against Iraq is likely to send the cost of oil soaring, with an immediate impact on prices at the pump. Building up reserves is considered a way of easing the impact.

In London the Government confirmed that the aircraft carrier Ark Royal will sail for the Mediterranean next month and will be in position to take part in any military campaign against Iraq.

Evidence of a military build-up came as Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations, warned the Americans that it would be "unwise" to attack Iraq when the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians remained unresolved.

Religious leaders will today join the British coalition against a possible war by issuing Downing Street with a "declaration of concern" that warns war is not inevitable.

A poll released last night by Channel Four News showed public opinion marginally against military action. The NOP survey found 52 per cent believed Britain should not become involved militarily if America goes to war with Iraq, while 34 per cent believed it should.

Tony Blair was urged by Tam Dalyell, Labour's most senior MP, to recall Parliament to discuss his plans for Iraq. But his spokesman said nothing had changed and that Mr Blair would not "pin himself to any particular form of consultation".

Mr Abraham, visiting the International Petroleum Exchange, said stockpiling was a "prudent" step "not related to any specific kind of matter".

He said: "We have suggested that as we are moving to fill our reserves, others should consider making sure that their reserves are adequate. I think everybody recognises that that type of action is prudent."

Under rules set by the Department of Trade and Industry, British oil companies are required to hold oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of national consumption.

With Mr Blair at Chequers before leaving later this week for his summer holiday in France, Downing Street refused to be drawn on the speculation about military preparations.

Suggestions that the Ark Royal was being moved for war were described as "absolute rubbish". The carrier, with nine Harrier jets, nearly 1,000 men and a new command centre to co-ordinate operations, is taking part in an October Nato exercise in the Mediterranean with American forces that has been two years in preparation.

A spokesman for Mr Blair said the "point of decision" had not yet been reached. "There are many issues to be considered before then."

Lord Hurd of Westwell, the former Foreign Secretary, added his voice to those who say there should be no action without a new UN resolution. Iraq yesterday invited members of the US Congress to send a mission to Baghdad, with the right of free access to any sites they fear are involved in the creation of weapons of mass destruction.

The invitation, extended by the speaker of the Iraqi parliament, was immediately dismissed by a White House spokesman, who said that President Bush wanted action on disarming by Iraq, not talks about more inspections. The offer was also brushed aside by a senior Democratic member of Congress.

The chairman of the US Senate foreign relations committee, Joseph Biden, a Democrat, was quick to side with the Bush administration, damping down the prospect of a partisan split which Saddam Hussein might seek to exploit.

In America's nightmare scenario, Mr Hussein is given a clean bill of health by the UN after hiding his nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from inspectors, allowing Iraq's friends and business allies, from Moscow to Paris and Beijing, to demand an immediate end to sanctions, let alone talk of a war.

-- Anonymous, August 05, 2002