91.   The Times of London was more measured, saying the nuclear policy review was simply a theoretical exercise examining the circumstances in which nuclear weapons might be used.

92.   Ties with Washington turned tetchy after President Bush took office in January, voiced skepticism about the North and said he would hold off talks pending a policy review.

93.   The policy review follows a court ruling last June which upheld the homosexual ban but urged future reconsideration.

94.   US officials have tried to allay international fears, saying the policy review merely listed options at the disposal of US authorities.

95.   Secretary of State Colin Powell and White House national security advisor Condoleezza Rice insisted that the policy review contained no change in US nuclear targeting policy.

96.   So the policy review is just reviewing how we are going to oppose the treaty.

97.   The Bush administration is currently engaged in a major Iraq policy review that may result in massive military action against Iraq, according to US media reports.

98.   The Pentagon official said that despite the latest decision, the policy review was still underway.