UN INSPECTOR HITS AT 'WRECKER' BUSH

THE UN's chief weapons inspector yesterday slammed George Bush and Tony Blair for talking up the prospect of war with Iraq.

Hans Blix made clear he was not willing to accept US and British claims over Saddam Hussein's terror arsenal until he had seen it for himself.

And Mr Blix also attacked Mr Bush's threat of action, admitting it was wrecking the prospect of a breakthrough on weapons inspections.

The outburst is the latest sign that international opposition is snowballing, making prospects of a fresh blitz on Baghdad increasingly unlikely.

Mr Blix said: "If the Iraqis conclude that an invasion is inevitable, then they may conclude it is not very meaningful to have inspections."

Asked whether he believed claims that Saddam had chemical, biological and possibly nuclear capabilities, the UN supremo added: "I am not assuming the Iraqis have weapons of mass destruction. This is why an inspection is so important."

He continued: "I am sure the Iraqis are worried about the US attitude. We think it would be natural for them to accept the inspection because they claim, in a very determined way, there is nothing left, they have done away with all weapons of mass destruction. Why should they fear us coming?"