Plans by the Pentagon to take over the running of post-war Baghdad have caused serious disagreements in the Bush administration and are threatening to undermine Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell's visit to Brussels tomorrow, which is aimed at persuading the EU to help in the reconstruction of Iraq, write Conor O'Clery in New York and Mark Brennock in Dublin
The acute internal debate has surfaced as Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld faces a barrage of criticism for interfering with the US war plan, with officers on the ground complaining they were not given enough ground forces.
Several military officers have alleged the Pentagon did not send enough troops to the war and one colonel accused Mr Rumsfeld in the New York Times of wanting and getting "war on the cheap".
The criticism of Mr Rumsfeld in the US media reached such a pitch that the White House stepped in yesterday to defend the beleaguered defence secretary, saying President George Bush had "tremendous faith" in Mr Rumsfeld and his generals, and in his leadership and decisions, "and that's borne out by what the president views as a successful military campaign".
Mr Rumsfeld insisted to reporters yesterday the war plan was on course and that the "circle is closing" on Saddam Hussein. He denied rumours allegedly spread by Iraqis of ceasefire talks. "The only thing the coalition will discuss with the regime is its unconditional surrender," he said.
Shortly beforehand, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, in a message read on Baghdad television, urged Iraqis to conduct a jihad, or holy war, against American and British troops. "Hit them. Fight them. They are evil aggressors damned by God. You are victorious, they are defeated," said the message, read by Information Minister Saeed al-Sahaf.
The Pentagon's plans to take over the running of the post-war American administration in Baghdad were highlighted when Mr Rumsfeld snubbed Mr Powell by turning down a group of eight officials nominated by the State Department to run Baghdad departments until a new Iraqi government was put in place.
The Pentagon is reportedly pushing its own officials for the Baghdad posts, including former CIA director Mr James Woolsey, under a plan that would have the military in overall charge of Iraq under Gen Tommy Franks.
The Pentagon's post-war plan calls for aid to be distributed by the military under UN supervision, but UN aid agencies, such as the World Food Programme, are insisting they cannot be co-opted as an arm of the American military and that they should decide where and how aid is distributed.
Mr Powell - and British Prime Minister Tony Blair - are in favour of a speedy handover of the country to UN control to gain international legitimacy and to draw other countries into the expensive reconstruction effort.
EU officials said they hoped Mr Powell's visit to Brussels would mark the start of a "real will" for US-European dialogue about the Iraq war, but warned the top US diplomat that there were differences between the US and Europe on the UN role in a post-war Iraq.
The EU view that the UN must play a central role in Iraq after the conflict has ended will be put to Mr Powell by Greek Foreign Minister Mr Georges Papandreou at the meeting tomorrow between Mr Powell and EU officials at NATO headquarters.
Mr Powell is visiting Turkey today to persuade its leaders not to send troops into Iraq.
The Government last night indicated support for the UN to play the central role in post-war Iraq. "Ireland would wish to see the United Nations involved in a post-conflict Iraq as soon as possible and to the greatest possible extent," a spokesman said.
"This would give greater legitimacy to any arrangements that would be put in place."
The Government has accepted a Fine Gael Private Member's Motion calling on the Government to work to ensure the UN played the lead role in the humanitarian relief effort in Iraq.