President George W. Bush today described Iraq as an "enemy until proven otherwise" but that he has no timetable for making a decision on using military force to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Mr Bush, on a four-week working vacation, was asked if Americans were prepared for casualties in a war with Iraq. "That presumes there is some kind of imminent war plan. As I said, I have no timetable," he replied.
Under increasing pressure from some members of Congress and many key allies not to launch an unprovoked attack on the longtime Gulf foe, Mr Bush said he was consulting with the US legislature and foreign governments.
"I have no timetable for any of our policies with regards to Iraq," he said, after teeing off at the first hole at the Ridgewood Country Club golf course.
Asked if he was surprised he had not built more support for action against Saddam, Mr Bush said, "Most people understand he is a danger, but as I have said in speech after speech I have a lot of tools at my disposal. I have also said I am a deliberate person."
Mr Bush, whose announced policy is to seek Saddam's ouster, said Iraq's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction made it an "enemy until proven otherwise." Against a backdrop of Baghdad's consistent refusal to readmit international weapons inspectors, he added, "They obviously desire weapons of mass destruction. I presume that he still views us as an enemy."