|
  |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WH: Second resolution on Iraq is comingBush meets with NATO's Robertson
From John King
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration will propose a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Iraq, a White House spokesman said Wednesday, despite some objections from other nations that such a move is premature. "We continue to talk about the exact language to use, the exact timing that would be introduced, as well as who it will be who actually tables the motion," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said, referencing which country will officially introduce it. In New York, Gabriel Valdes, Chiles' U.N. ambassador, said one of the people working on preparing the text told him, "We'll have a resolution text early next week." The White House has said for some time that it would like to see a second Security Council resolution, although it does not think one is necessary, while British Prime Minister Tony Blair has made clear in public comments and private consultations with the White House that he views seeking a resolution as imperative. For another resolution to pass the Security Council, it would have to win approval from nine out of the 15 members and not be vetoed by any of the five permanent council members. But some members say it is too early for another resolution, which they see as a prelude to war. Among them is France, a permanent member. "(The) time has not come for a second resolution," Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, France's U.N. ambassador, said Wednesday. 'Final offer' made to TurkeyBack at the White House, Fleischer said the United States has made its "final offer" to Turkey and needs a decision soon on whether U.S. troops will be allowed to use Turkish military bases in the event of war with Iraq. He also suggested the administration has no plans to seek a formal role for the full NATO alliance should there be a U.S.-led military assault. Asked if Bush envisions any formal role for NATO, Fleischer said the president would build a "coalition of the willing." Bush met Wednesday at the White House with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. Bush told Robertson he has done a "fantastic job" of leading NATO, which Bush called America's "most important alliance." The bitter debate inside NATO over aiding Turkey has only reinforced the view of administration officials who welcome any political support NATO might offer but do not believe it would be feasible to seek formal military assistance from the full alliance. The administration a week ago thought it had cleared up the obstacles to major troop deployments in Turkey. But Turkey is now balking, because of the failure to reach agreement on the size of a package of emergency economic and other aid from the United States. Fleischer said conversations are still under way but there is "not a lot of time left" to reach an agreement. He said the administration was waiting to hear whether Turkey would accept the U.S. proposal. Official says resolution will declare Iraq has not met requirementsThe drafting of the new resolution has been under way for more than a week, but until Wednesday the administration in its public statements had left wiggle room -- saying it was the preference of the White House to have a second resolution but not making an absolute commitment to seek one. But Fleischer said Wednesday there is no doubt that a new U.S.-British proposal would be "tabled" -- formally introduced for Security Council action. He said the question was whether it would be put forward this week or early next. The resolution, a senior White House official told CNN, will clearly declare that Iraq has not met the requirements of Resolution 1441, approved in November by the Security Council. The official brushed aside reports that the new resolution would impose specific new disarmament demands and deadlines on Iraq. When asked Wednesday whether the main goal would be to emphasize the need for military action, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the primary aim is "to make clear that the council stands by its previous demands, its previous resolution. That resolution made clear that Iraq had a final opportunity to disarm, and if Iraq didn't disarm, there would be serious consequences." U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in an interview Wednesday with Radio France, declined to say whether a second resolution was imminent, but said U.N. Resolution 1441 has enough teeth to "take action if Iraq does not comply and does not cooperate."
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
