President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Friday that Saddam Hussein is not disarming and the world must hold him to account. "This is a test of the international community," Blair said.
Bush said the United States would fight efforts to delay a decision on Iraq, insisting on bringing the disarmament standoff to a head "in a matter of weeks and not months."
"Saddam Hussein is not disarming. He is a danger to the world. He must disarm and that's why I have constantly said ... this issue will come to a head in a matter of weeks and not months," Bush said. "Any attempt to drag the process on for months will be resisted by the United States."
Bush stated that Secretary of State Colin Powell, when he presents evidence to the United Nations next week, "will make it clear Saddam Hussein is fooling the world — trying to fool the world. We'll make clear Saddam Hussein is a menace to peace."
The American president conveyed a second U.N. resolution on Iraq would be welcomed but was not needed. "This needs to be resolved quickly. Should the United Nations decide to pass a second resolution, it would be welcomed if it is yet another signal that we're intent upon disarming Saddam Hussein."
Both leaders agreed that Iraq's invitation to U.N. weapons inspectors was another stalling tactic by Saddam Hussein. Bush called the Iraqi invitation a "new deception" by Saddam.
Blair and Bush spoke at a news conference at the White House after reviewing possible timetables for diplomacy and war. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
