Eye to eye: US orders forces in Gulf

Baghdad on Saturday handed over to UN inspectors a list of the names of more than 500 scientists who have participated in banned weapons programmes.

‘‘The burden now is on Iraq’s dictator to disclose and destroy his weapon arsenal. If he refuses, then for the sake of peace, the US will lead a coalition to disarm the Iraqi regime and free the Iraqi people,’’ Bush said.

In a news report carried on Saturday, The Washington Post stated that Rumsfeld had signed a 20-page classified order on Tuesday to send an array of forces and capabilities to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and other Gulf nations in the coming weeks. ‘‘It’s a little bit of everything and is very comprehensive,’’ the report quoted an unnamed official.

The US Navy’s USNS Comfort, a ship that can treat soldiers attacked with chemical and biological weapons, has been ordered to set sail for the region on Monday. Two aircraft carriers have also been placed on alert for possible use against Iraq.

The official said the Navy has been directed to have the USS George Washington and either the USS Abraham Lincoln or USS Kitty Hawk, with cruisers and destroyers, ready on 96 hours’ notice. The Air Force has also received orders for the deployment of five combat units in the last 24 hours. Defense officials also expect the Air Force to move F-117 stealth fighters to Al Jaber Air base in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, the main Iraqi Shi’ite Opposition group said on Saturday it had evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and was trying without success to hand it over to the UN.