US will fight bid to delay war on Iraq, says Bush

US President George W Bush said last night the United States would fight efforts to delay a decision on Iraq, insisting on bringing the disarmament stand-off 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,” Mr Bush said after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. “Any attempt to drag the process on for months will be resisted by the US.”

Mr Blair praised his host’s leadership in the fight against what he said were the linked threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

However, Mr Blair has repeatedly said he would prefer action sanctioned by a second UN Security Council resolution.

And he said: “What is essential is that in every respect, in every way that we can, we mobilise international support and the international community in order to make sure these twin threats the world faces are dealt with.”

There was no talk of deadlines, as some people had predicted.

Instead, Mr Bush said Saddam was not disarming and, as a result, was a danger to the world.

Mr Blair reiterated that resolution 1441 stated Saddam had a final opportunity to disarm and that he had to co-operate fully with the UN weapons inspectors.

“But as Dr (Hans) Blix said earlier this week in his report to the Security Council, he’s not doing that and therefore what’s important is that the international community comes together and makes it absolutely clear that this is unacceptable,” Mr Blair said.

“The reason, I believe, that it will do that is precisely because in the original resolution 1441, we made it clear that failure to disarm would lead to serious consequences.

“This is a test for the international community, not just a test for the United States or for Britain.

“And the judgment has to be at the present time that Saddam Hussein is not co-operating with the inspectors and is therefore in breach of the UN resolution and that’s why time is running out.”

Asked about the possibility of a second UN resolution on the matter, Mr Bush stressed the crisis needed to be resolved quickly.

“Should the United Nations decide to pass a second resolution, it will be welcomed if it is another signal that we’re intent upon disarming Saddam Hussein,” he said.

“1441 gives us the authority to move without any second resolution. Saddam Hussein must understand that if he does not disarm, for the sake of peace, we, along with others, will disarm Saddam Hussein.”

Meanwhile, economists fear the impact of war on Iraq will have a double impact on the Irish economy.

IIB Bank chief economist Austin Hughes warned yesterday Ireland’s economy is too weak to survive a prolonged war in Iraq. The concern is that if a war drags on it will pull down the US economy.

In the event, a US slowdown could lead the world into global recession.