The US administration hasswitched the focus of its Iraq campaign to the United Nations aftersecuring Congress' approval to launch military action against IraqiPresident Saddam Hussein.
"A significant amount of the attention will move towards theUnited Nations now that Congress has spoken so strongly and clearlywith one voice," White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer toldreporters.
Both chambers of Congress passed resolutions authorising Presidnet George W.Bush to order "necessary and appropriate" force against Iraq if the UnitedNations fails to disarm Saddam Hussein.
Mr Bush has called on the United Nations to pass a strongresolution warning Iraq of the consequences it will face ifdisarmament is not carried out. He has said the United States isprepared to act unilaterally if the United Nations does notsucceed.
The US faces opposition from some other permanentmembers of the UN Security Council however.
Mr Fleischer continued: "The work with the UN is being dealtprincipally now at the negotiation level by diplomats that enjoynegotiating.
"This is now an art of crafting language that represents theprinciple that the president has stated and that must be part of theresolution."
The spokesman reaffirmed that Mr Bush wants a resolution "thatclearly states the consequences for Iraq for failure to comply. Thepresident will continue to work closelywith his team."
AFP