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UNITED NATIONS - Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix on Tuesday said his inspectors' failure to turn up weapons of mass destruction in Iraq may have been nothing but a reflection of the truth, and he called American criticism of the prewar search off target.

"I would say that I think the criticism that was directed to us was misdirected," Blix told The Associated Press in an interview, He retires June 30 after three years of leading the U.N. search for banned weapons.

While defending the U.N. inspections program, Blix welcomed the U.S.-led ouster of Saddam Hussein.

"He was an ancient type ruler who got control of a country with an oil income and could use 21st century weapons. That was a very dangerous combination, and I think we all feel a great relief that he is put out of action," Blix said.

E.U., U.S. Spar Over Int'l Criminal Court

UNITED NATIONS - The United States has warned the European Union that its promotion of the International Criminal Court is putting more strains on trans-Atlantic relations.

"It would be very unfortunate if this issue were to create discord and disharmony" at the upcoming summit between the United States and the European Union on June 25, a confidential note to sent to EU governments last week said.

In the memorandum, the Bush administration accused the Europeans of trying to subvert U.S. efforts to protect Americans from prosecution by the court and said such interference must stop.