White House plays down Bush war decision claims

THE White House was in damage-limitation mode over Iraq yesterday after claims that President George W Bush was committed to war while publicly claiming to be pursuing a diplomatic solution.

A new book, by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, claims Mr Bush made the final decision to go to war in January 2003, when the United Nations route was still being followed.

Mr Bush made the decision during a conversation with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, the book claims.