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Bush: U.N. resolution will be 'clear and simple'
CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- President Bush said Saturday that the U.N. Security Council will be presented with a "clear and simple" resolution that asks members to address just one question: Is Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein complying with a November resolution demanding that Iraq disarm itself of weapons of mass destruction? "[Resolution 1441] did not ask for hints of progress or minor concessions. It demanded full and immediate disarmament," Bush said at a news conference after meeting at his ranch in Texas with Jose Maria Aznar, Spain's prime minister. "That, and that alone, is the issue before the council." Saturday's remarks were the first time Bush has confirmed that the United States, along with Britain, would push for a new resolution on the Iraq crisis before any military action. U.S. officials had disclosed that decision earlier in the week. Asked by a reporter whether the new resolution would be the last chance for the Security Council to prove its relevance, Bush responded, simply, "Yes." "And I believe the Security Council will show its relevance because Saddam Hussein has not disarmed," he said. Allied leaders discuss resolution wordingThe president and Aznar spoke by phone Saturday with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to discuss the wording of the resolution. Britain, Spain and Italy have been the strongest allies of the U.S. position, putting them at odds with France and Germany, both main allies. U.S. officials insist that despite recent anti-war protests in Europe and what Washington sees as Franco-German intransigence, most European countries support U.S. policy -- a message underscored by Aznar's invitation to Bush's ranch. "Our commitment is a very active commitment," said Aznar, who is under political pressure from a Spanish electorate that polls show oppose military action. "We're not thinking of our comfort but of our responsibility." (More details) Neither Bush nor Aznar disclosed details of the language in the new resolution, which would be a follow-up to Resolution 1441, passed unanimously by the Security Council in November. U.S. officials said they expect to introduce the new measure after the next report from Hans Blix, the chief U.N. weapons inspector, scheduled for March 7. In order to receive approval, any new resolution would have to secure nine of the 15 votes on the Security Council. In addition, a 'no' vote from any of the five permanent members would kill the measure because they have veto power, and three of those members -- France, Russia and China -- have said they oppose military action. Only four have committed to backing resolutionSo far, the only Security Council members to voice support for any U.S.-British resolution are Spain and Bulgaria, leaving the United States five votes short even if France, Russia and China abstain. But when Bush was asked whether the resolution had any realistic hope of passing with current support, he replied, "There's not even a resolution on the table yet." "I think I remember getting asked this question prior to the last resolution," he said, noting that Resolution 1441 passed 15-0. U.S. officials said they are looking to Aznar to help lead the diplomatic effort to get the resolution through the Security Council, particularly with two Latin American members, Chile and Mexico. Before arriving in Crawford, Aznar traveled to Mexico to meet with President Vicente Fox but received no commitment to support the U.S. line. However, the Spanish leader echoed Bush's comments that it is too early to tell whether the resolution can get through the council. (Full story) "It's difficult to ask for an agreement on something that doesn't exist yet," he said. Also on the Security Council are Angola, Cameroon, Germany, Guinea, Pakistan and Syria. On Friday, Blix sent a letter to Iraq demanding that it destroy missiles that U.N. experts have determined violate limits imposed by previous resolutions. The destruction of the missiles must begin by March 1, Blix said. But Bush said that even if Iraq complies with that order, it would not be in compliance with Resolution 1441 because the missiles are "just the tip of the iceberg." "My question is, why don't they destroy every illegal weapon?" Bush said.
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