United Nations: As UN gears up to wade through Iraq's declaration of its arms and nuclear programmes running to thousands of pages, experts speculate that Baghdad has denied possessing weapons of mass destruction, a claim which will be challenged by the US and trigger a war.

Although exact contents of the 11,807-paged dossier would be known only on December 10 when chief weapons inspector Hans Blix is expected to make a statement in the UN Security Council, hardliners among analysts are of the view that Iraq has denied that it has weapons of mass destruction, something America considers false and a reason sufficient to launch an onslaught.

Others say the issue of war was much more complex as the United States would still need to convince allies, including Britain. Views were also expressed that President Saddam Hussein, pressed to wall, might make no move to annoy the inspectors.

However, there is a unanimity that the situation could change suddenly if inspectors chance upon a site which has weapons of mass destruction or the United States is able to guide them to search such a place.

In that case, Saddam could make the plea that it was the work of rouge officer and allow inspectors to destroy them, says an analyst.

That is the reason, they say, Washington is trying to pressurise weapons inspectors to identify and "spirit out" the country's key scientists so that they could give information which could prove Iraq still has prohibited weapons or is trying to produce them.

Blix, however, admits it is a tough task. The inspector who is trying to project his image as a person not influenced by the Council members has repeatedly said he is in no one's pocket.

My organisation is not an abduction agency, Blix had said, adding there is a Council resolution to bring scientists out but then he has not reached that point.

If inspectors are unable to find any prohibited weapons, it is a difficult job as most American allies have said they would like any military action to be mandated by the Security Council, the analysts say.

To get such a mandate would be difficult unless some apparent violation by Iraq is found.

Even America's closest ally Britain would be much more comfortable if the Council finds Iraq in material breach of its latest resolution which strengthened the inspection regime.

Though the United States has repeatedly said the onus is on President Saddam Hussein to prove Iraq has no prohibited weapons, analysts feel the focus has shifted to inspectors after Baghdad's declaration.

Now it is for them to prove that Iraq has these weapons. Iraq has maintained that it would allow inspectors wherever they want to go but it is for them to prove that Baghdad is lying, they say.

That was the reason why Iraq quickly allowed inspectors even into the Presidential palace and allowed them to examine it to their satisfaction, they added.

PTI