While the U.S. ponders an attack on Iraq, women in Baghdad offer up their prayers to end the conflict. (Jassim Mohammed/AP Photo)

By Barry Schweid
The Associated Press
W A S H I N G T O N, Nov. 10 — President Clinton met with senior Pentagon officials to explore options for a possible military attack on Iraq. Defense Secretary William Cohen stepped up the movement of U.S. ships into the region. “The military option is still on the table,” Cohen said. The United States will consider “a significant degradation” of Iraq’s warmaking capacity, he added.
     Clinton and his advisers also were discussing diplomatic options, a senior administration official said. Participants included Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; National Security Adviser Sandy Berger; Gen. Henry Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Vice Adm. Vernon Clark, director of operations; and Rear Adm. Thomas Wilson, director of intelligence for the Joint Chiefs.
     “There are a number of public and private contacts with Iraq,” said David Leavy, spokesman for the National Security Council. “We feel he knows what he needs to do,” the White House official said, referring to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.