LONDON, March 24 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – British foreign policy went under fire again with regards to an upcoming war in Iraq as the Church of England produced a report for bishops saying that an attack would be immoral and a “cruel thirst for vengeance”, news agencies reported.

The report, by the Church's Board for Social Responsibility, says that it would be difficult to see how Western military action in Iraq could meet the criteria of being a just war, reported UK daily newspaper, the Telegraph.

The report also said that Britain’s involvement would be merely a reflection for the “priorities of American foreign policy" and that attacking a Muslim country would have serious repercussions regarding interfaith relations in Britain.

Recently, several British politicians have voiced their rejection urging the U.K. and U.S. not to launch military strikes on Iraq. 

International Development Secretary Clare Short said last week that she would resign if Britain joined the United States in taking such action. Short, the most senior British minister to have expressed opposition to any strikes on Iraq, also insisted that any such attacks would have to have UN support. "The best thing is to get the U.N. inspectors back in," rather than "crude military action."

Blair has publicly supported the U.S. portrayal of Iraq as an "evil" regime and, while not specifically guaranteeing British troops, has indicated that London is ready to help "deal with" Saddam.

However, he is under tremendous pressure from within his own party, with Labor backbenchers making up the bulk of more than 100 members of parliament signing a motion declaring "deep unease" over military action.

Robin Cook, the leader of the Lower House of Commons, is also thought to be against military action, while Home Secretary David Blunkett has urged caution for fear of an Islamic backlash.

European Commission President Romano Prodi also indicated the EU might oppose any eventual U.S. attack on Iraq.

A report issued by the UK daily newspaper, The Observer, on March 10 said that the U.S. had asked Britain to provide 25,000 troops for a joint attack on Iraq, but this report was denied by Blair’s office. The Pentagon was not immediately available for comment and Britain's defense ministry declined to discuss the report.

The paper issued by the Church of England also follows Wednesday's warning by Geoff Hoon, the Defense Secretary, that the UK would be ready to launch a nuclear strike against states such as Iraq if they used weapons of mass destruction against British forces, reported the Telegraph. His words came as officials in Washington and London privately predicted that military action to topple Saddam was likely at the end of the year.

Although Hoon denied that a decision had been taken on such action, his comments about nuclear arms fuelled beliefs that preparations were being considered.

The private paper by the Church's board, chaired by the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler, is not policy but a strong indication of Church thinking. It says that, for a war to be just, it has to have "proper authority and right intent", the Telegraph reported.

"It is difficult to see how either of these have been met in the case of Iraq," the Telegraph said. No UN resolution existed that would legitimize military action, and it was hard to see, given the lack of international consensus, how this could be achieved. The paper pointed out that "no convincing evidence has been presented to support the argument that Iraq is rebuilding its WMD [weapons of mass destruction] program or that Iraq poses an immediate threat to regional and international security.

"Instead, the arguments put forward in favor of action reflect the priorities of American foreign policy. This would be difficult to square with the Government's interpretation of the legal position. Any such attack could be perceived as the `cruel thirst for vengeance'.

"An attack on another Muslim country - particularly one with no proven link to the September 11 atrocities - would be taken by many as evidence of an in-built hostility to the Islamic world... The consequence for inter-faith relations of an attack on Iraq must therefore be of grave concern."

In another report published Sunday, in the UK daily newspaper, the Observer said that the former Cabinet Minister and former culture, media and sport secretary, Chris Smith has questioned Downing Street's policy to back America's war against Iraq, even if it means military invasion, saying that concern runs deep in the Labor party.

His comments come amid growing signs of discontent about Blair's 'presidential' style and suggestions that he could face a leadership challenge.