Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has denied in a US television interview that his al-Samoud missiles are in violation of UN disarmament obligations, and has indicated that he does not intend to destroy them, as demanded by chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix. Conor O'Clery, North America Editor reports from New York
The defiant move from the Iraqi leader, who also challenged President Bush to a televised debate, came on the same day that the US, Spain and Britain tabled a long-awaited resolution at the UN Security Council in New York declaring that Iraq had failed to take the final opportunity to disarm.
The text of the preamble to the two sentence draft noted that previous resolutions made clear that failure to co-operate with the UN or make false statements would provoke "serious consequences" - the diplomatic term for military action.
Last week Dr Blix issued an ultimatum to Iraq demanding that it begin destroying by this Saturday all its Al-Samoud missiles, on the grounds that they exceed the UN-permitted range of 150 km (92 miles).
Failure by Iraq to obey the order and destroy the missiles would gravely weaken the case by France and other countries that inspections are working and that the UN should be given more time to achieve disarmament.
Iraqi officials have argued that when the missiles are fitted with guidance systems their range is restricted to the 150 km limit. In an interview with Dan Rather of CBS, Mr Hussein indicated he did not intend to destroy or promise to destroy the missiles, according to CBS news in a press statement.
France, Russia and Germany circulated an alternative plan to pursue a peaceful disarmament of Iraq over at least the next five months. China said it also supports that proposal.
Responding to Saddam Hussein's proposal for a debate, White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer dismissed it as "not serious". The new UN resolution was formally presented by British Ambassador Sir Jeremy Greenstock on behalf of Spain and the US.
It must have nine "yes" votes and avoid a veto by France, Russia or China. Eleven of the 15 council members have said they want UN weapons inspections to continue.
The resolution recalls that false statements or omissions and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with or co-operate fully in implementing Resolution 1441, passed in November requiring Iraq to disarm, would constitute a "further material breach" of Iraq's obligations.
It notes that Iraq's December 7th weapons declaration contained "false statements and omissions" and asks the council to recognise "the threat Iraq's non-compliance with council resolutions and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and long range missiles poses to international peace and security". The resolution then asks that the Security Council "Decides that Iraq has failed to take the final opportunity afforded it in resolution 1441 (2002); Decides to remain seized of the matter".
The US will likely bring the resolution to a vote on or shortly after the Security Council meets on March 7th to consider a report from Dr Blix. The resolution does not set any deadlines but the US could invade Iraq at any moment after the council vote, diplomats at the UN said.
US President George Bush said yesterday the resolution "spells out what the world has witnessed in the last months. The Iraqi regime is not disarming." He said "We are going to work with the members of the Security Council in the days ahead to make it clear to Saddam that the demands of the world and the United Nations will be enforced." The US has begun an intensive round of lobbying to get support at the UN.
US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell urged China yesterday to support the new resolution at meetings with officials in Beijing.
The alternative plan by France, Russia and Germany urges the UN to pursue the peaceful disarmament of Iraq's reputed chemical weapons programmes over a further 120 days after setting Iraq specific tasks. China said it also supports that proposal.