Rice, talking to the Financial Times, laid out Washington's post-Cold War geopolitical doctrine saying "the United States would want to be thought of as liberators" dedicated to the "democratisation or the march of freedom in the Muslim world".

US media reports over the weekend, citing Pentagon sources, said that Washington's battle plan calls for focused attacks on Iraq's ruling clique and its arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, rather than Iraq's broader infrastructure.

Without speaking of war plans, Rice said that the international community "can't afford to make the mistake of the past 11 years and let him (Saddam) slip out again."

She stressed that US President George W. Bush wanted "a Security Council resolution that has effective measures".

"He would not have gone down the road if he did not want this road to succeed. We have nonetheless to be clear that we really do mean effective, not halfway measures."

"If the Security Council - and we respect people's different views - If the Security Council cannot come to terms with strong action, the United States, with whomever else would like to join us, will have to take care of the problem," she said.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States "clarified a lot about the kinds of threats that you face in the post-cold-war era," Rice continued.

"Post 9/11, you have to look at the number of threats that are not deterable. We had no warning on September 11.

"We worry a good deal more."

She said the United States wanted to support "reformist elements" within Islam, mentioning Qatar, Bahrain and "to a certain extent" Jordan.

The United States has "a preponderance of military power," the national security advisor said.

"This is simply recognition that out of that come certain responsibilities to provide and secure environment in which certain values can prosper."

"We see power and values as married completely," she added.

Key US lawmakers Sunday said Congress should back an attack on Iraq.

ib/pvh

Nampa-AFP WEB story ENDS (NAMPA 230251)

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