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Thursday, 12 September, 2002 Bush seeks UN deadline for Iraq
The US is gearing up for action against Iraq US President George Bush is expected to ask the international community to support his tough line on Iraq when he addresses the UN General Assembly on ThuHe is expected to push the case for a new Security Council resolution which would set a deadline for Iraq to agree to the return of weapons inspectors, or face unspecified action. Correspondents say Mr Bush will probably warn the UN that if it does not act, then the US will. The news comes as US Central Command - which oversees the war in Afghanistan and army operations in southwest Asia - said on Wednesday that it will send 600 of its headquarters staff to the Gulf state of Qatar, near Iraq,for a training exercise. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan - who is due to speak shortly before the American president - will insist that only the UN can sanction an attack, according to remarks released by his office. Mr Annan told the BBC on Wednesday that the war against international terrorism can be legitimate only if approved by the Security Council. rsday. Diplomatic effort The US Government says it has proof Iraq has biological and chemical weapons and the potential for a nuclear capability - a claim rejected by Baghdad Mr Bush is expected to argue that, in this case, inaction is not an option. "I'm going to the United Nations to give this speech for a reason, because I believe this is an international problem, and that we must work together to deal with the problem," the US president said on Tuesday. Washington has been lobbying the other four permanent members of the Security Council to support a possible military strike on Iraq.
Bush is prepared to act alone So far, only the UK has pledged to back action against Iraq saying there is enough evidence to justify America's fears. France has expressed its opposition to a unilateral attack, while the Russian president has said he is unconvinced that there are grounds for an attack. China also opposes any military action. On Wednesday, former South African President Nelson Mandela added his voice to those opposing military action in the Gulf, accusing the US of wanting to attack Iraq because of oil and arms sales. 'Threat to peace' While insisting that the US should not attack Iraq without Security Council backing, Mr Annan will also call on Baghdad to allow weapons inspectors back into the country.
There have been anti-war rallies around the world UN inspectors left Iraq in November 1998 and Baghdad says they will only be allowed back as part of a comprehensive UN solution to the current crisis. Meanwhile, in a move which suggests further US preparations for a possible military assault on Iraq, 600 staff from the US Central Command headquarters in Florida will be moved to Qatar for a training exercise. There has been a steady stream of recent reports that the United States is stocking up with extra supplies or equipment in the Gulf - all of which the Pentagon has dismissed as routine or connected with exercises. But taken together, they could increase the Americans' ability to launch a military operation if the decision is made, says our correspondent. US defence officials say that at the moment there are no plans for the headquarters staff to stay on beyond the exercise or to establish a permanent headquarters. But they also concede that that could change. The head of US Central Command, General Tommy Franks, has run the military campaign in Afghanistan from Florida but in 1990 his predecessor, Norman Schwarzkopf, moved his headquarters to Saudi Arabia for the last Gulf War. |
