International discord over possible war with Iraq has not hindered U.S. efforts to assemble a coalition of 90 nations in the war on terrorism, Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday. Ashcroft, speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations, singled out Germany – an ardent opponent of military action against Iraq – along with Canada, Pakistan, Switzerland and China as lending assistance in the battle against al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. “To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of the demise of international cooperation in the war on terror have been exaggerated greatly,” Ashcroft said. “The bonds of sympathy and support hold firm.” Full Story