US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell said yesterday that while the US would return to the Security Council to debate any violation by Iraq of a new weapons inspection regime, it would not be "handcuffed" if the UN decided not to act and the US felt action was required.
In an interview in Washington with a small group of foreign correspondents, including The Irish Times, Mr Powell said, however, that the concerns of countries like Ireland could be met by giving them the opportunity to debate non-compliance by Iraq. If the inspectors were unable to do their job this would be referred to the Security Council to discuss, debate and possibly pass another resolution, he said.
The US would take part, but the resolution now being discussed would have to ensure that "while this process is ongoing, the United States is not handcuffed so that if. . .it looks like the Security Council will not choose to act, the United States is not handcuffed if (it) feels that, with other likeminded nations, action is required."
Mr Powell expressed confidence that agreement among the 15-member council on a strong US-British resolution to send inspectors back into Iraq was very close, but added that there was still no accord on what might trigger military action against Baghdad.
His remarks came against rising expectations that after more than six weeks, the US will table its resolution tomorrow, with a vote possible on Friday. The resolution will warn Baghdad that rejection could result in serious consequences.
The US may, however, drop a requirement for Iraq to agree to accept the resolution within seven days, and extend a deadline for Iraq to make a full declaration of its weapons programme from 30 to 50 days. US Defence Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday National Guard and reserve call-ups for possible war with Iraq could begin soon.
Mr Powell met senior administration officials in the White House last night as President Saddam Hussein indicated in Baghdad he would not reject outright a new resolution but would examine its requirements.
Mr Powell warned in the interview that the 30-day period for a declaration "would be a useful way to get started to see whether they're serious." The US would know early on whether Saddam Hussein planned to co-operate.
"Some can argue it will take months and months and months and months and months for the inspectors to look at everything they will want to look at, but we will know early on whether or not Iraq is intending to co-operate or not to co-operate."
The situation could come to a head within a few weeks of the resolution being passed.