US President George Bush yesterday threw the gauntlet down to the United Nations, calling for the Security Council to pass a new resolution that makes clear its resolve to "take whatever measures necessary" to disarm Iraq, writes Conor O'Clery, North America Editor, in New York
Mr Bush also said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein "no doubt will play a last game of deceptions". However, he added, "the game is over". The US president issued his challenge to the UN in a special late statement at the White House, with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at his side.
Mr Bush's comments indicate that the US has taken the advice of British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair to seek a new mandate for war from the UN, after what he called the powerful presentation of the US case by Mr Powell.
"The United Nations can renew its purpose and be a source of stability and security in the world," he said. "The Security Council can confirm it is able and prepared to meet future challenges and other dangers."
In passing resolution 1441 on November 8th demanding the disarmament of Iraq, the Security Council "spoke with clarity and authority. Now the Security Council will show whether its words have any meaning. Having made its demands the Security Council must not back down when those demands are defied and mocked by a dictator".
Mr Bush added: "The United States would welcome and support a new resolution that makes clear that the Security Council stands behind its previous demands. Yet a resolution means little without resolve, and the US along with a growing coalition of nations is resolved to take whatever measures" to disarm Iraq and defend the US.
Mr Bush repeated many of the claims Mr Powell made at the UN but added that the US had intelligence that President Saddam had issued orders to field commanders to use weapons of mass destruction.
Of the 15 members of the Security Council, nine - France, Germany, China, Russia, Pakistan, Cameroon, Chile, Mexico and Syria - have expressed support for continuing inspections.