Chile's UN envoy says Bush's efforts to drum up support for the Iraq war have caused a sense of deep mistrust toward the United States.

The rough-and-tumble diplomatic strategy has generated lasting 'bitterness' and 'deep mistrust' in Washington's relations with allies in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, wrote Heraldo Munoz in his upcoming book.

The book titled 'A Solitary War: A Diplomat's Chronicle of the Iraq War and Its Lessons', alleges that the Bush administration employed the strategy of bullying and punishment during the months preceding the invasion.

'In the aftermath of the invasion, allies loyal to the United States were rejected, mocked and even punished' for their refusal to back a UN resolution authorizing military action against Saddam Hussein's government, Munoz wrote.

According to the diplomat, Bush had made several appeals to Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, pressing him to support Washington war cries in a bid to demonstrate wide support for US military plans.

Munoz says when Lagos withheld support, Bush resorted to his common fear tactic. "Mr. President, next Monday, time is up."

Today as the truth about the Iraq war has surfaced, as a last resort, President Bush has been forced to reach out to many of the same allies he snubbed before the invasion.

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