UN Security Council members, already deeply divided over possible U-S-led military action against Iraq, also differ on the significance of an Iraqi pledge to begin destroying banned missiles.
President Bush says the Iraqi offer to destroy the Al-Samoud-two missiles is part of what he calls Iraq's "games of deception."
The White House spokesman dismissed the Iraqi promise, and again demanded Iraq comply with UN demands for "full, immediate, complete disarmament."
Britain, a staunch supporter of U-S led action against Iraq, also reacted with skepticism.
France and Germany, however, welcomed the Iraqi pledge, saying the diplomatic pressure should continue -- and the United States should halt efforts to force disarmament.
Chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix describes the Iraqi promise as "a very significant piece of real disarmament." He says he may change the assessment in his report to the council that Baghdad's disarmament efforts had been only "very limited."
U-N inspectors and Iraqi officials are to meet Saturday -- the U-N deadline to begin destroying the missiles.
The United States, Britain and Spain have submitted a proposal to the U-N Security Council that would authorize force against Iraq -- while France, Germany and Russia back a rival proposal calling for more inspections.