US: With momentum running strongly in his favour on Capitol Hill, President George Bush now looks certain to obtain Congressional approval next week for US action against Iraq, with or without UN sanction.
The prospect of a UN Security Council resolution giving America authority to use force against Iraq does not look so promising, however, though Mr Bush expressed optimism yesterday that US diplomacy would in the end prevail at the UN.
UN chief weapons inspector Dr Hans Blix arrives in Washington this morning for talks with US State Department officials, following his agreement with Iraqi officials on Tuesday to resume weapons inspections under existing Security Council resolutions.
Dr Blix briefed the UN Security Council yesterday on the agreement, which would allow inspectors to return to Baghdad for the first time in four years by October 15th. However, the Bush administration has said the US would thwart the return of inspectors until there is a tougher new Security Council resolution.
President Bush said yesterday that the United Nations must stand with the United States to disarm Saddam Hussein, or stand aside.
"When it comes to defending our freedom, the United States of America will stand united and stand strong. The choice is up [to] the United Nations to show its resolve," Mr Bush told Hispanic leaders in Washington.
"The choice is up to Saddam Hussein to fulfil his word. And if neither of them acts, the United States in deliberate fashion will lead a coalition to take away the world's worst weapons from one of the world's worst leaders."
White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said yesterday that Secretary of State Colin Powell remained optimistic about getting agreement from the Security Council on a new resolution. He said that President Bush "couldn't imagine the UN Security Council would become irrelevant by letting the status quo remain."
Mr Fleischer pointed to a statement from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday which hinted at the need for a new resolution. Mr Annan said the Security Council was debating "whether or not the inspection regime should not be tightened and strengthened to ensure we do not repeat the weaknesses of the past." The US wants a resolution giving Iraq an ultimatum to turn over all details of weapons inspections in 30 days and allowing coercive inspections backed by armed force.
"Many" countries would line up with the US if the Security Council did not approve tougher action on Iraq, the White House spokesman said, referring to an offer from Bulgaria to provide the US with the use of Bulgarian air space and resources in any action against Iraq.
Congressional leaders predicted yesterday that Mr Bush would get the authority he is seeking by next week in the form of a congressional resolution that supported the president's efforts to seek Iraqi compliance through diplomatic means, but approved military action if diplomacy failed to protect US security interests. It also required that the president report to Congress within 48 hours of commencing an attack.
The President will step up the pressure on Congress and the UN on Monday when he outlines the threats allegedly posed by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in a major speech in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Several prominent Democrats have voiced concern about giving Mr Bush carte blanche to take action against Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said yesterday "We must be very careful ... signalling to other countries that there are circumstances where pre-emptive strikes may be acceptable." The Senate was divided over the wording of the resolution, "but at the end of the day, we're going to be able to develop a broad bipartisan consensus," Mr Daschle said.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert said he expected the resolution to be approved with a strong bipartisan vote next Wednesday or Thursday.
"We have no choice but to act as a sovereign country prepared to defend ourselves, with our friends and allies if possible, but alone if necessary," said House International Relations Committee chairman Henry Hyde.