From: joedees@bellsouth.net
Date: Sun Sep 15 2002 - 14:40:37 MDT
Powell takes Iraq case to the world
NEW YORK (APOnline) ” Secretary of State Colin Powell
gained diplomatic support for the strong U.S. stand against
Saddam Hussein, winning approval Friday from all members of
the U.N. Security Council for President Bush's assertion that the
Iraqi leader poses a threat to international security.
Still, Bush said he doubts Saddam would give up his weapons
even in the face of U.N. demands or the U.S. threat of military
force. And Powell did not seek the support of the 14 other
Security Council members for the use of force.
"The conversation never got quite that far directly," he told The
Associated Press. "Everybody is hoping that a solution can be
found."
But, Powell said, "They clearly see the U.S. is not just talking
about another resolution being ignored. I think they see the
seriousness and the gravity of the situation."
Powell's diplomacy was only the beginning of what could be an
extended process of drafting a resolution that would demand ”
again ” that Iraq open its weapons sites for inspection and
destroy any weapons found.
"I think all the members of the council are now seized with the
issue, recognize the challenge that Iraq does present to
international law and to the mandate of the Security Council,"
Powell said after a series of meetings in which he pressed Bush's
demand for Iraqi disarmament.
But the secretary gave no indication that he received endorsement
for using force against Baghdad, as Bush has suggested may be
necessary. And Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in a
speech to the General Assembly that his government sought a
political settlement, thereby hinting that it would not endorse
force.
"Efforts should be made to prevent the arbitrary enlargement of
the scope of a counterterrorism campaign," he said.
As a permanent Security Council member, China could kill any
resolution with a veto.
And Powell said that while Arab nations that make up the Gulf
Cooperation Council offered "understanding and support," they
reminded him that the Arab League is opposed to a conflict in the
region.
By next week, Powell said, the ministers will have had a chance to
consult with their capitals. He stressed that he had not taken up
the wording of a resolution. And as he took questions at the
delegates' entrance to U.N. Secretariat, Powell said that Arab
ministers probably would be in touch with Saddam.
Earlier, foreign ministers of the U.N. Security Council's
permanent five nations said that Iraq's refusal to obey past U.N.
resolutions "is a serious matter and that Iraq must comply."
The U.N. resolution would set a deadline for the return of
weapons inspectors to Iraq and warn of serious consequences if
Saddam continued to reject such an arrangement.
"We're talking days and weeks, not months and years," Bush said.
"I am highly doubtful that he will meet our demands. I hope he
does but I'm highly doubtful," Bush said as he wound up talks
with foreign leaders.
Bush also wants congressional backing for possible military
action against Iraq and he spoke mockingly of Democrats who
have been holding back.
"Democrats waiting for the U.N. to act?" Bush asked with
chuckle. "I can't imagine an elected ... member of the United
States Senate or House of Representatives saying, 'I think I'm
going to wait for the United Nations to make a decision.' "
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, in the midst of
consultations with Powell, said of Saddam: "If he refuses to
cooperate with the U.N. Security Council, the Iraqi government
will take responsibility itself for possible consequences."
Besides Russia and the United States, the other three permanent
members are Britain, France and China.
While the Russian support could be a boost for Bush, the
president was still struggling to draw support from Congress.
Democratic leaders said the administration must provide more
information on threats posed by Saddam and on U.S. plans for
removing the Iraqi president before Congress considers a
resolution in support of military action.
"This is very serious business. Let's slow it down a bit," Sen.
Joseph Biden, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said
Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle, a South Dakota
Democrat, has said he hasn't yet seen enough evidence to justify
going to war against Saddam.
Still, on Capitol Hill, there was some good news for the
administration.
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., said he would work with
members of both parties to try to draw up a congressional
resolution. The aim, he said, is "the broadest possible bipartisan
support for the president, as commander in chief, as he works to
protect our nation and the world from Saddam Hussein."
Congress is preparing to hold at least five hearings on the
confrontation with Iraq.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz dismissed Bush's speech,
and in turn his remarks were dismissed by White House
spokesman Ari Fleischer. "Obviously, they have something to
hide," he said of the Iraqis.
Cheney, appearing on the Rush Limbaugh radio program, rejected
any idea that the administration's Iraq policy was geared to
elections in November.
"Every other year is an election year and you can't take half the
calendar and put it off-limits. This is an issue the president and I
have talked about now for months," he said.
Cheney said the administration expects to provide Congress with
more evidence to back up its allegations about Saddam.
And Gen. Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, said in Washington that the United States has evidence Iraq
has made mobile laboratories to make chemical or biological
weapons.
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