Arbil, Iraq Press, Feb. 19 - The embattled Iraqi leader is considering a peace initiative to bring rebel Kurds to the negotiating table.

The Iraq Press has learned that Saddam Hussein has held a meeting with senior aides to discuss the possibility of granting Iraqi Kurds sweeping autonomous powers.

The move is seen as part of Saddam's last-minute overtures to avert a possible U.S. military strike to overthrow his regime.

The United States has made it clear that it advocates a regime change in Baghdad. Senior U.S. officials have said they are determined to topple Saddam even if they have to act unilaterally.

The Kurds turned down Saddam's previous calls for negotiations, saying there is no guarantee the Iraqi strongman will not renege on any promises he makes.

Saddam, according to well-informed sources, is expected to address the nation shortly to announce the initiative.

No details are available on what Saddam has in mind and whether the Kurds will welcome the overture.

The Kurds administer their own affairs away from Saddam's authority in a semi-independent enclave that includes much of Iraqi Kurdistan.

U.S. and British warplanes mount almost daily patrols of the area to deter Saddam from sending troops into the region.

Saddam has recently made several peaceful overtures with the aim of persuading the Americans to change heart.

But his moves have all but foundered. 

Both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have spurned his offer to normalize ties. And many see his proposal to the United Nations for talks without preconditions as merely a tactical move to buy time.