Washington, Jan 28: Arguing that Iraq was not cooperating in implementing the Security Council resolution, US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has said that the option of using force against the country for implementing the will of the international community should be kept open.
Powell repeated the new US charge that there have been contacts and connections between the Iraqi regime and terrorist organizations, including the al-Qaeda.
The presence of al-Qaeda elements or individuals in Iraq, is a reasonable assumption "and we have some basis for that assumption," he said.

Bureau Report