When Mr. Bush and Mr. Gorbachev met in Helsinki in September and the Soviet leader seemed to rule out the use of force at a news conference after the meeting, Administration officials referred reporters to the joint communique, which said the two sides would consider "additional steps" if Iraq refused to withdraw.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

'In a recent visit by Mr Blatter to Tunis, he agreed that a joint bid is possible once the principles of co-hosting are in place, ' the communique added.

BBC: By Durosimi Thomas