KYOTO -- The remainder of the 3rd World Water Forum, which is scheduled to end Sunday, was thrown into confusion Tuesday by fears that a U.S.-led war on Iraq is imminent.

Hours after U.S. President George W. Bush delivered an ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq within 48 hours or face an invasion, some participants, particularly those from the Middle East, said they were rethinking their attendance plans.

In response, forum officials set up a special desk to provide information on flights leaving Japan and would not rule out the possibility of major schedule changes.