WASHINGTON, Nov 5: US President Bill Clinton warned Saddam Hussein it would be ``a big mistake'' to try to shoot down American U-2 spy planes flying over Iraq.

Seeking a peaceful resolution, the United Nations announced yesterday it was postponing the surveillance flights this week while UN mediators in Iraq try to persuade Saddam to cooperate with international weapons inspectors. The U-2 flights are to resume next week.

The White House said it was unconcerned by the delay. ``The U-2 flights will continue and will continue at a time determined by the UN,'' Presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said. ``The world community will have the information it needs. We are entirely comfortable the information we need will be accessible.''

In his first public comments on the escalating tensions with Baghdad, Clinton urged that efforts be redoubled to end the crisis through diplomacy. But the administration made clear that it was not backing down.

Defence Secretary William Cohen warned of ``serious consequences'' if any US planes are attacked. Clinton expressed determination to prevent Iraq from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

The President won Congressional backing for his Iraq policy during a meeting with bipartisan leaders of Congress.

``All of us believe that Saddam Hussein is wrong, he should allow the American inspectors in, and we will support the President in taking action to assure that Saddam Hussein keeps his word,'' Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson said as She left the White House.

Clinton urged Saddam to comply with UN resolutions and allow weapons inspections to proceed unhindered. `If he has nothing to hide, if he's not trying to develop weapons of mass destruction, then he shouldn't care whether Americans or anyone else are on the inspection team.''

``This may be just another dodge,'' the President said of Saddam's threats.Clinton, talking with reporters in the Rose Garden, said the U-2 flights are carried out under the authority of the United Nations for a UN Mission.

``We will continue to consult with our allies on that.''

Meanwhile, three UN envoys left for Iraq today after Baghdad agreed to delay the expulsion of American weapons inspectors.

But Iraq showed no signs of backing down, turning back UN inspectors from sites near Baghdad for a third straight day, said Alan Dacey, a UN spokesman. At least one UN team was refused access because it included Americans. None of the three teams proceeded, Dacey said.

The incident was the fourth time Iraqi officials have turned back inspection teams over the past week.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.