By Barnaby Mason BBC diplomatic correspondent

Iraq's position up to now has been that it no longer has any weapons of mass destruction.

That line was repeated by the senior Iraqi official who gave the news that Iraq would make a declaration about its weapons programmes on Saturday - one day ahead of the deadline set by the United Nations Security Council.

Bush says Iraq should provide evidence that it has disarmed

But he was a little more equivocal when he said that the declaration would contain new elements.

Many observers expect to see a lot of detail relating to the grey area of dual use equipment - that is, items that might form part of forbidden weapons but could have an entirely innocent purpose.

That would be cleverer than a blanket denial, and would help President Saddam Hussein play for time.

Washington 'not satisfied'

One report, since denied, said Iraqi officials had admitted trying to import aluminium tubes, as alleged by the United States and Britain - but not for enriching uranium to make a nuclear bomb.

Whatever the declaration says, it will not satisfy the Bush administration.

American officials expect the Iraqis to lie, and will try to demonstrate that they have done so as soon as possible.

Washington's view is that a false or incomplete declaration will amount in itself to a material breach - a substantial violation - of the Security Council declaration.

On Monday, President George W Bush said it was Saddam Hussein's responsibility to provide the evidence that he had disarmed - not for UN inspectors to uncover the weapons.

The other big powers will balk at this interpretation. Even British officials said the inspectors would have to be involved in certifying non co-operation or a dishonest declaration.