search for wmd shifts - or rather, new approach to casus belli taken.

* the u.s. is broadening its language to provide a rationale for iraq invasion. this take reflects the increasing desparation with which the u.s. is acting to that end. the new word is: intention. the hunt for wmd will now also include whether saddam "intended" to construct wmd. charles duelfer, appointed to replace david kay, said before a senate committee:

"What we want is a comprehensive picture not just simply answering questions - were there weapons, were there not weapons [...] We're looking at it from soup to nuts - from the weapons end to the planning end and to the intentions end."

* meanwhile,

"A Democratic senator has accused CIA Director George Tenet of making false statements regarding Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction."

* and,

"US Secretary of State Colin Powell now says it is an "open question" as to whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction."

* whilst blix, as ever, maintains that they were all destroyed in 1991 anyway. which is probably the assumption that is most likely to be correct.