US Secretary of State Colin Powell dropped heavy hints about Washington's timetable for war in Iraq today, saying the UN should take vital decisions soon after a weapons inspectors' report expected on March 7th.
Mr Powell told a news conference in Tokyo today he expected the UN Security Council to make a judgement about a new resolution on Iraq - to be presented by the United States and Britain early next week - soon after the inspectors' report.
"It isn't going to be a long period of time from the tabling of the resolution until a judgement is made as to whether the resolution is ready to be voted on or not," Mr Powell said.
"Iraq is still not complying and time is drawing to a close when...the Security Council, must show its relevance by insisting that Iraq disarm or that Iraq be disarmed by a coalition of forces that will go in and do it," he added.
US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld on Thursday excited speculation about the timing of an attack on Iraq by saying the Western forces already massed in the Gulf were "ample" for the task. But Mr Powell's remarks appeared to narrow the schedule.
The US military is believed to be anxious to act by April, when temperatures in Iraq begin to soar. Soldiers may have to spend extended periods in stifling protective suits and masks because of the threat of chemical or biological weapons.
Mr Powell flew from Tokyo to Beijing today in a diplomatic effort to win over the 10 rotating members of the Security Council to back a resolution paving the way for war and to persuade permanent members France, Russia and China not to veto it.
China, like France and Russia, has said UN weapons inspectors should be given more time in Iraq. But analysts said it could give tacit backing to Washington by abstaining from voting, viewing Iraq as a distant problem not worth jeopardising Sino-US relations over.