Powell told Japan that Iraq strike possible after March 10

Kyodo News | 3/11/03

[kattracks]

TOKYO, Mar 11, 2003 (Kyodo via COMTEX) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell informed Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi last month that U.S.-led military action against Iraq could take place any time after March 10, sources familiar with their Feb. 22 talks in Tokyo said Tuesday.

Powell told Kawaguchi that war would be a last resort, according to the sources, but stressed that the United States is determined to disarm Iraq, and would do so with other countries sharing the same view as Washington, if necessary.

Powell then told Kawaguchi a military action could take place any time after March 10, the sources said.

Powell's remarks strongly indicate that the George W. Bush administration was already well prepared to go to war with Baghdad late last month, soon after an additional report was submitted by U.N. weapons inspectors last Friday.

Powell's unequivocal remarks have prompted the Japanese government to clarify its position by coming out in support of the U.S., the sources said.

Kawaguchi told Powell that Tokyo and Washington must work together for the adoption of a new U.N. resolution giving Iraq a March 17 deadline to comply with all U.N. disarmament demands, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Powell expressed U.S. hopes that Japan would take an active role in providing reconstruction assistance for Iraq following a war, the sources said.

After the talks, the Japanese government bolstered its diplomatic efforts to urge U.N. Security Council members to adopt the resolution authorizing use of military force against Iraq.

The proposed resolution was submitted to the Security Council last Friday, and Tokyo announced its support the following day.

2003 Kyodo News (c) Established 1945

[Reborn]

GOOD! Today is the 11th. Of course, we'll have to let Gen. Franks get settled in....but I say, have that blasted United Nothings vote and get on with the liberation of Iraq, and the rest of us, from these terrorists.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Powell meant that by March 10, all military assets would be in place. And that conversation was before Turkey's vote to not allow U.S. troops in souther eastern Turkey. Then I heard last night that three ship loads of equipment for the 101st Airborne were still at sea and would be there for a week and a half.

[Hatteras]

Although Coach Franks left yesterday from Tampa, FOX News said that he was stopping in 5 different countries before making his way to the sidelines and donning his headset.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Of course. But he told that LAST MONTH. A lot has changed and timelines slip. Even with the archived articles I have read here, it was said that in no uncertain terms by January 31, Bush would make the decision and the bombs would be dropping in early February.

Here it is almost Mid March.

This thing could slip till early or mid April

The Japanese media generally writes today that anything from 21 March onward looks likely.

[First_Salute]

3 hours.