NATO SUMMIT: Iraqi disarmament could still be achieved peacefully but if this did not happen, the US would lead a "coalition of the willing" to carry it out by force, President Bush told a news conference in Prague, where he is attending a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
"By remaining strong and united and tough we'll prevail," the President said. A military confrontation with Iraq was his "last choice" and could still be avoided. "If the collective will of the world is strong, we can achieve disarmament peacefully," he said.
But if President Saddam Hussein refused to abandon the weapons, which, Mr Bush alleged, were in his possession, "the United States will lead a coalition of the willing to disarm him."
The Czech President and former dissident leader, Mr Vaclav Havel, told the news conference that if war against Iraq proved unavoidable, NATO should consider taking part.
His people would prefer a peaceful surrender of Iraqi weapons.
"If, however, the need to use force were to arise, I believe NATO should give honest and speedy consideration to its engagement as an alliance," he said.
The Czech government has deployed 12,000 police officers and 2,200 well-armed troops, along with special anti-terrorist squads, to protect the heads of state and government assembling for the summit, which takes place today and tomorrow.
The authorities were reported to be concerned about militant demonstrations and external terrorist attacks. US fighter jets patrolled the skies above Prague, alongside Czech fliers in Soviet-era aircraft.
NATO is due to announce plans for its own 21,000-strong rapid response force that could mobilise in seven to 30 days to deal with crisis situations. A summit statement echoing the UN Security Council's call for unfettered access to Iraqi weapons supplies was also expected.
Formed in 1949 to prevent further Communist expansion, NATO is based on the principle that an attack on one member-state is considered an attack on all. As a neutral state, Ireland is not a NATO member, although it is part of the Partnership for Peace, which promotes co-operation between the alliance and other countries.
Full members of NATO and the PfP countries will meet tomorrow under the umbrella of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The meeting will be chaired by NATO Secretary-General and former UK defence secretary Lord Robertson. Ireland will be represented by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Dick Roche.
Irish military personnel take part with NATO colleagues in UN-mandated peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Three years ago, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland became the first former Communist-bloc countries to join NATO.