Bush: US can't wait for action against 'tyrant' Saddam

US president George Bush today called Saddam Hussein a “murderous tyrant” who might be plotting to attack America with biological and chemical weapons.

Saddam and his “nuclear holy warriors” were also building a nuclear weapons programme, Bush said in an address to the American people.

“If we allow that to happen, a terrible line would be crossed,” the president told civic group leaders at the Cincinnati Museum Centre. “Saddam Hussein would be in a position to blackmail anyone who opposes his aggression.

“He would be in a position to dominate the Middle East. He would be in a position to threaten America. And Saddam Hussein would be in a position to pass nuclear technology to terrorists,” Bush said.

His address opened a week of debate in Congress over resolutions giving the president authority to wage war against Iraq. The House and Senate planned votes for Thursday, and the Bush-backed resolution was expected to pass by wide margins.

Still, doubts lingered at home and abroad about Bush’s plans.

Even as he spoke, new polls revealed continued unease among voters about going to war, particularly if casualties were high or fighting distracted attention from America’s sagging economy.

Democrats criticised Bush’s insistence upon confronting Iraq alone if the United Nations failed to act.

Bush hopes an overwhelming vote in Congress will persuade reluctant allies in the United Nations to adopt a tough new resolution forcing Saddam to disarm, by force if necessary.