Security council divided on war possibility

US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s presentation to the UN Security Council has led to forceful calls that Iraq quickly provide more details of its weapons programmes.

But the 15 council members appeared sharply divided over a possible war.

The US case against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is entering a critical 10-day period during which the chief UN arms inspectors will visit Baghdad and then make a crucial report to the council.

The inspectors comments could help decide whether there will be war in Iraq.

While the US and Britain said time was running out for Iraq to cooperate with the inspectors, France, Russia, China and many other council members called for continued inspections and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

They also stressed the importance of this weekend’s visit to Baghdad by Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei.

“We very much hope that the trip to Iraq by chairman Blix and director-general ElBaradei will be fruitful,” China’s Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said.

“So although the situation is quite tense at this moment, still I believe the peaceful resolution is still possible – you cannot rule that out.”

Council diplomats said they will wait for Blix and ElBaradei to present their report on February 14 before deciding on the next steps, including a possible new resolution, because its focus will almost certainly depend on their assessments of Iraq’s cooperation.

A senior White House official said the next 24 to 36 hours will be critical as Powell determines whether allies are willing to support a second resolution.

The key, US officials said, is France – if President Jacques Chirac insists on vetoing a second resolution, President Bush won’t try to seek one.

But if Powell decides a resolution can be adopted, the next step would be to determine what it might take to get consensus in the council.

One option is giving Saddam a deadline to comply, though officials said it was too soon to put that idea on the table.

The White House official said Bush has yet to give his national security team his requirements for a second resolution, a sign that more diplomacy is needed.

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin did not mention the possibility of a veto, but he did say “there is no need for a second resolution” because Resolution 1441, which was adopted in November and gave Iraq a final opportunity to disarm, is still in effect.

He called for tougher inspections and monitoring of Iraq, proposing a tripling of the number of inspectors from 100 on the ground – a suggestion a US official dismissed as useless.

De Villepin also demanded Baghdad answer questions raised by Powell.

He said that if there is an “impasse, we will not rule out any option, including the use of force” – but he stressed that must be the final option.

Powell noted that France indicated it might consider another resolution or the use of force. “But there is a dispute between us, obviously, as to how much time should be given, and what full cooperation means,” he said.

Powell’s anxiously awaited presentation to the Security Council used newly declassified intelligence, including satellite photos and radio intercepts, to support the US case that Iraq has defied all demands that it disarm and has links to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.

He warned that Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction threaten the world and urged the council to move against Saddam or face “irrelevance”.

While council members have previously called for Iraq to cooperate fully, Powell’s presentation put even more pressure on Baghdad to produce information about its nuclear, chemical, biological and long-range missile programmes.

Russia, China, Chile and other council members joined France in demanding Iraq respond to Powell’s allegations quickly.

“We are in agreement that the issue lies in more cooperation from Iraq,” Chile’s Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear Valenzuela said.

“If there is a change of attitude on the part of Iraq, then we could find room for a political and diplomatic way out,” she said. “Iraq’s attitude is fundamental now to determine the final steps.”

Blix, meeting Prime Minister Tony Blair in London today, said he planned to analyse Powell’s report.

“I think it was interesting and I think that all the facts are desirable to be on the table,” Blix said.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said the success of Blix and ElBaradei’s trip “will be of paramount importance”.

Powell said the inspectors’ reports to the council will be “very important” and will show whether “there has been any change in attitude.” If not, he said, the Security Council “will have to make a judgment” – and Bush reserves the right to make a judgment as well.