Iraq has said it is ready for dialogue with the United States if Washington abandons its plans to invade the country.
Iraq's Vice President, Taha Yassin Ramadan, made the comments during an interview on Iraq's al-Shabab television station. The station is run by Saddam Hussein's son, Uday.
Earlier, the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld said there were sufficient American military forces in the Gulf region to launch an attack on Iraq, should President Bush give the order.
If Iraq fails to satisfy UN demands on disarming, some sources have indicated that an invasion could begin next month.
