Posted on 09/13/2002 6:13:15 AM PDT by frmrda
Bush Doubts Iraq Will Meet Deadline Sep 13, 8:57 AM (ET)
By BARRY SCHWEID
UNITED NATIONS (AP)- President Bush said Friday it is "highly doubtful" that Saddam Hussein will comply with U.S. demands and avoid a confrontation with the world community.
In a meeting with African leaders at the international organization, Bush reiterated his request for a U.N. resolution, demanding that Saddam disarm his weapons programs.
"We're talking days and weeks, not months and years," the president said in outlining his request for a U.N.-imposed deadline on Saddam.
"That's essential for the safety of the world," he said.
Bush also questioned why some Democratic lawmakers want delay in voting on a resolution allowing him to act against Saddam until the U.N. passes its measure.
Chuckling, the president said he could not imagine being an elected member of Congress and saying, "Vote for me and, oh, on matters of national security, I think I'm going to want somebody else to act."
Bush made the remarks one day after asking the U.N. to take action to join with the United States in taking action against Saddam unless the Iraqi president quickly meets a series of demands, including unconditional disarmament and an end to persecution of minorities.
"I am highly doubtful that he will meet our demands. I hope he does, but I'm highly doubtful," Bush told reporters. "The reason I'm doubtful is he's had 11 years to meet the demands. For 11 long years, he has basically told the United Nations and the world he doesn't care."
Bush's comments came as Secretary of State Colin Powell was launching talks Friday with key foreign leaders to see if they can put together a U.N. resolution that calls on Iraq to submit to weapons inspections or risk grave consequences.
Only Britain stands firmly with the United States in its hard-line approach to Iraq's Saddam Hussein. The three other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, Russia, China and France, have the power to veto and torpedo a resolution.
Powell's tough assignment is to try to gain their support.
"I think the U.N. Security Council realizes we have a problem they have to deal with," the secretary said.
Interviewed on CBS's "The Early Show," Powell said that any new U.N. resolutions "can't be the kinds of resolutions we've had in the past."
On ABC's "Good Morning America," he said, "There has to be deadlines this time. In the absence of deadlines, the Iraqis will string us out, will try to negotiate away or simply ignore the resolution."
In a speech Thursday night, Powell lashed out at the Iraqi leader.
"Saddam Hussein has long made an unholy alliance with terrorists," Powell said. "What is not arguable is that he is in violation of international law."
Raising the specter of war, Bush had told skeptical world leaders Thursday to confront the "grave and gathering danger" of Saddam's Iraq - or stand aside as the United States acts. Hesitant allies asked Bush not to go it alone, while some members of Congress said the president still had not made the case for an attack.
Powell stressed on Friday, however, that Bush has not yet made a decision.
"The president has made it clear that he feels Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi regime to be abhorrent," he said on CBS, "but he's not declaring war on anybody at this point."
Powell said he would confer with Security Council partners Friday but that he did not anticipate immediately putting together a new resolution. Representatives of other nations likely would need the weekend to consult with leaders back home, he said, saying a new resolution might not be forthcoming until next week.
"But I don't want to put a time dimension on it right now because I think it's something for me and my colleagues in the Security Council to work out," Powell said.
"We're often accused of being unilateral," he said on ABC. Powell said Bush's appearance at the U.N. "was a desire to speak to the international body, to be multilateral."
In deciding to try to put together a new U.N. resolution on Iraq - there have been 16 since the Persian Gulf war of 1990-91 calling for weapons inspection and disarmament - Bush has taken a step in the direction of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other world leaders who are opposed to unilateral action.
But a senior U.S. official responded negatively when asked if there was a chance Saddam would comply with U.N. demands this time. The official added there will be no negotiations with Iraq.
Powell had a luncheon scheduled with the foreign ministers of Russia, France, Britain and China, and a separate session with the other members of the Council.
Also, Powell was to meet separately with Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan of China and, briefly, with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepan.
In Washington, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said, "I don't think that the case for pre-emptive attack has been made conclusively yet. That doesn't mean it can't be."
Republican lawmakers praised Bush's speech and urged Democrats to support him.
Clinton may not have been the worst President, but he was certainly the worst man who was ever President.
I can't remember who said that, but I thought it fit.
Reagan to Iran: "Draw!"
Reagan to the soviet union: "Draw!"
Bush to Saddam: "Draw!"
Bush to the UN: "Draw!"
Bush to Daschle: "Draw!"
Hey, don't involve any of US in this!
We're WAY cuter than Tom!
My Dachshund, James made me post this ;-)
Swoosh! Nothin' but net!
I just e-mailed that line to Sen. Daschle, at his website:
Dashole.gov
We proved him wrong, though, using the ballot box as it was intended.
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
Thomas Paine, 1778
Ooooh, you do that and you'll have the Rev'run Jacksuhn on you like... like... like 'white on rice!'
Absolutely correct.
I do not understand the strategy of Senator Daschle (D-Iraq) at all. He should want a prompt vote to get this issue out of the way of his troops facing re-election. Why he is peddling the obstruction is beyond me. Am I missing the exit strategy for the RATS?
;~)
That's easy : Tommy "I hope that NOW you'll all treat me with a little more respect" Daschle thinks that HE is the real and legitimate leader of this country, and that it's only a matter of time before the citizens of this country heartily agree with his self dillusion. Either that, of Tommy is just a professional obstruction who's goal now is to get Hitlery into the oval office in '04. IMO, the real answer is the former.
That says it all. Rallying cry for Senate take over. Take back America
Right. Dashle says, let's see what the UN decides before we debate and vote. What a jerk... his comment is stupid enough to build an ad around.
Hillary has ruined herself by the antics in the White House. She has done nothing to show that she has the ability to run the country - all she has ever done was be the wife of the president and use the name recognition and clout to bribe her way to a senate position.
She does not know how to have the honor, the moral clarity and the character we will expect in office.
Today, yes. Last week, no. Bush let them dig and dig, and set up fortifications, then he changed the battlefield.
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