Bush adviser calls for Europe support

Saddam Hussein: Building mass destruction weapons

US President Bush's adviser on defence says he is disappointed with Europe's reaction to the prospect of military action against Iraq.

Richard Pearle also fired a warning shot to Labour's left-wingers who have been vociferous in their opposition to air strikes on Baghdad.

No nation can allow its self defence to be determined by the preferences of others, no matter how friendly, no matter how well meaning

Richard Pearle
President Bush defence adviser

He argued that no nation could have its self defence determined by the preferences of others, no matter how well meaning.

Mr Pearle was speaking ahead of talks between US vice-president Dick Cheney and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street, which are set to be dominated by tensions in the Middle East and Gulf.

National defence

The agenda is likely to cover the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programme, with Mr Blair under pressure from his own party to shun participation in any US military action against Iraq.

Labour backbenchers Alice Mahon (Halifax) and Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow) are set to deliver a letter to Number 10 warning the prime minister against joining any strikes on Iraq.

But Mr Pearle told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't know that Tony Blair is in a position to protect us from Saddam Hussein.

"I don't know that anyone is in a position to do that and certainly not the left wing of the Labour Party," he said.

"No nation can allow its self defence to be determined by the preferences of others, no matter how friendly, no matter how well meaning."

Disappointed

"I am certainly disappointed with a number of our friends in Europe who pay very close attention to threats to their security, but when the threats are to American security, they are no-where to be found."

The US is the target and the US has to take that seriously, whether others agree or not

Richard Pearle
President Bush's defence adviser

Mr Pearle insisted: "The threat from Iraq is not dependent on their involvement in 11 September."

Saddam Hussein was a man who was building weapons of mass destruction in defiance of UN agreements, said Mr Pearle.

"The US is the target and the US has to take that seriously, whether others agree or not."

Mr Pearle said he did not believe sending in more UN weapons inspectors would achieve anything.

"Saddam is never going to allow inspectors to uncover a smoking gun," he said.

Saddam Hussein would simply prevent the inspectors from reaching the site, he added.