The United States also has reduced US military participation in the Paris Air Show next month in another sign of lingering US anger over France's opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The United States conveyed its decision to disinvite France from the Red Flag air combat exercise in a May 8 telephone call to the French military attache in Washington, French embassy spokeswoman Nathalie Loiseau said.

Asked if any explanation was given in disinviting France, Loiseau said, "Not really."

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said the US Air Force receives more requests to participate in the exercise than it can accommodate, and increased US requirements meant that slots for foreign air forces were "significantly reduced."

"As a result of both those things, the air force is not able to accommodate France and many other nations who desired to participate in the upcoming Red Flag," he told AFP.

"Exercise slots are limited so they are going to be used for those with whom we will likely be participating in operations in the future," he said. "It's really a matter of using our limited resources where it will do us the most good."

The exercise is one of the world's premier air combat training events, pitting US and allied air forces against a "Red Force" with F-16 fighters that closely emulate known enemy tactics.

France has participated nearly every year since 1980.

It was supposed to take part in a Red Flag exercise scheduled for March, but that was cancelled because of the war in Iraq. The next exercise is scheduled for August. But France had not been scheduled to take part until the spring 2004 cycle of the exercise.

In Paris, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the disagreements over Iraq had not been totally forgotten.

"That was not a very pleasant time for any of us and we have to work our way through that," he added.

"I wouldn't say we'd punish France," Powell said when asked if Washington had adopted a new foreign policy aimed at sanctioning those states that refused to back its initiatives.

But he admitted: "Some of our joint military activities are being looked at in light of the changed circumstances... you take note of those who disagree with you and you try to find out why and, if it is appropriate, to draw some conclusions, and consequences follow those conclusions. That's the way it is."

A senior US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was difficult to predict how the relationship with France would evolve but he did not believe there would be a larger impact on military cooperation.

Loiseau said that so far any impact was "not on the serious issues, such as our cooperation in Enduring Freedom, which I am certain is something very important both for us and for the Americans, which continues to our common satisfaction."

France is helping to train the Afghan army and provides logistics support. It also cooperates with the United States in the Carbibbean on drug trafficking.

"So on the operational ground there is no difference, hopefully there is no difference," said Loiseau. "We work very closely. Both militaries are pleased to work together."

WAR.WIRE