Washington: Notwithstanding strong French denials, US officials have accused a Chinese firm of supplying Iraq a dual-use chemical used in making fuel for long- range missiles with the help from brokers in France and Syria.

French officials disputed reports quoting US officials that said the French intelligence knew about the sale but did not intervene.

In Paris, Foreign Ministry spokesman Francois Rivas Seau said, "These accusations are devoid of all foundation."

A Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington said he had no immediate comment on reports of the sale. However, he said, such "irresponsible accusations" about China's exports have been made in the past.

According to a report in 'The Washington Times' daily, Bush administration officials said the sale took place in August and was described in classified intelligence reports as a "dual-use" chemical used in making missile fuel.

The official assertion came after a report in this regard by 'New York Times' columnist William Safire on March 13.

The chemical transferred to Iraq was a transparent liquid rubber called hydroxy terminated polybutadiene, or HTPB, used in making solid fuel for long-range missile, the report said quoting US officials who spoke on conditions of anonymity.

The French spokesman said, "They (report of the sale) are part of the polemic that we do not want to get involved in. In line with the rules currently in force, France has neither delivered, nor authorised the delivery of such materials, either directly or indirectly."

PTI