HIGHLIGHTS U.S. Officials to Give UN Inspectors Intelligence on Suspected Iraqi Weapons Sites|| U.S. May also Give Inspectors Names of Iraqi Scientists to Interview Next Week|| Bush Postpones Trip to Africa Next Month|| Security Council appearance by Blix on Jan. 27 Could Be a Critical Date for Bush to Make a Decision About Launching a Military Attack|| Powell Made Clear on Thursday Time Was Running Out for a Peaceful Solution|| British Prime Minister Tony Blair Tells Troops to Prepare for Possible War|| Anglo-American Military Build up Continues Unabated in the Gulf Region||STORY: President Bush said on Friday Iraq's arms declaration was "not encouraging" for finding a peaceful solution to the standoff over disarming, as U.S. officials prepared to give U.N. inspectors intelligence on suspected Iraqi weapons sites.

"Yesterday was a disappointing day for those who long for peace," Bush said in a pessimistic assessment a day after the United States declared Iraq in "material breach" of a U.N. disarmament resolution for failing to disclose suspected chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.

U.N. arms inspectors, who complained earlier on Friday about being denied vital intelligence by the United States to help them search for any prohibited weapons, were told they were about to get what Washington hopes is damning information on where to look.

And in another sign of mounting pressure amid speculation Washington might be eyeing military action early in 2003, a U.S. official said the U.S. may give inspectors names of Iraqi scientists to interview next week in an attempt to glean inside information about possible weapons programs.

Bush later postponed a trip to Africa next month, citing "domestic and international considerations."

A senior U.S. official said Bush was staying home to monitor the situation in Iraq as well as to begin work on his domestic agenda and the move should not be seen as a step closer to war with Iraq.

The United States declared Baghdad to be in "material breach" because of its omissions, but none of the other Security Council members, including staunch ally Britain, or Hans Blix, who heads the team of inspectors that returned to Iraq in November after a four-year hiatus, supported that assessment.

ARMS INSPECTORS TO RETURN TO U.N.

Iraq, which denies it has any weapons of mass destruction, said Washington had over-reacted by saying Baghdad's weapons declaration was a "material breach." Blix told the Security Council in his initial report on the Iraqi dossier that it had failed to include data on some chemical and biological agents, such as anthrax, in what he called a "missed opportunity."

The head of the U.N. nuclear weapons inspectors said on Friday Iraq had done little to disprove allegations it violated resolutions by attempting to obtain materials usable in atomic weapons. Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iraq had acknowledged trying to import aluminum tubing that the United States says Baghdad wanted for enriching uranium for atomic weapons.

Iraq said the tubes were meant for conventional rockets, but ElBaradei said, "We cannot just take their word for it."

The Security Council asked the arms inspectors Friday to provide a detailed assessment of Iraq's arms declaration on Jan. 9, in another effort to evaluate Baghdad's claim it no longer has weapons of mass destruction, diplomats said.

After Thursday's decision by United States to declare Iraq in "material breach," a phrase Washington could use to justify war against Iraq, there had been speculation that a Security Council appearance by Blix on Jan. 27 could be a critical date for Bush to make a decision about launching a military attack.

The United States, which pushed through the new Security Council resolution in November in what it said was a last chance for Iraq, has insisted Iraq was still hiding a weapons of mass destruction program.

Secretary of State Colin Powell made clear on Thursday time was running out for a peaceful solution, and speculation mounted of a U.S.-led attack on Iraq early next year.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told his troops to prepare for possible war but said it was still unclear if weapons inspectors would find Iraq in violation.

The United States continued its military build-up, preparing to deploy more forces to the Gulf and asking Germany to provide 2,000 troops to guard U.S. bases in the country at the end of January, according to a German government source.

PHOTO CAPTION

President Bush speaks during a meeting Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in the Oval Office at the White House. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
- Dec 20 3:37