German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder today said UN Security Council resolution 1441 does not include any automatic authority for a military strike against Iraq.
The resolution requires Iraq to fully disclose any weapons capability or development programmes.
Mr Schroeder's speech will infuriate and concern the United States and Britain because Germany will chair tomorrow's crucial meeting at which UN chief weapons inspector Dr Hans Blix will make his latest report on inspections in Iraq.
Speaking in parliament, Mr Schroeder said the resolution obliging Iraq to disarm "or face serious consequences", which was passed unanimously by the Security Council last November, did not automatically justify military action.
"Germany supports this resolution and we have worked actively on implementing it . . . we support resolution 1441 as a Security Council member. But equally as clear is that this resolution contains nothing automatic as far as military force is concerned".
Mr Schroeder also said it was not appropriate for NATO to decide on military planning to protect Turkey ahead of Friday's UN Security Council meeting.
He said most on the Security Council share Germany's views that all steps for peace were necessary. He has ruled out voting in favour of war on Iraq in the Security Council.
AFP