Powell drops hints on war timetable

UNITED STATES Secretary of State Colin Powell dropped heavy hints about Washington’s timetable for war in Iraq yesterday, saying the UN should take vital decisions soon after a weapons inspectors’ report expected on March 7.

Powell told a news conference in Tokyo he expected the UN Security Council to make a judgement about a new resolution on Iraq (to be presented by the US and Britain this week) soon after the inspectors’ report.

“It isn’t going to be a long period of time from the tabling of the resolution until a judgment is made as to whether the resolution is ready to be voted on or not,” Powell said. “Iraq is still not complying and time is drawing to a close when ... the Security Council must show its relevance by insisting that Iraq disarm or that Iraq be disarmed by a coalition of forces that will go in and do it.”