Bush: Only 'full disarmament' can avoid Iraq war

Vote on troops in Turkey delayed

A Turkish soldier surveys the border with Iraq, while in Ankara the country's political leader says he'll delay parliamentary debate on the deployment of U.S. troops in Turkey. Story Tools VIDEO The United States, Britain and Spain present a second U.N. resolution on Iraq. CNN's Richard Roth reports. (February 25) PLAY VIDEO German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac look to stave off U.S. attempts to go to war with Iraq. CNN's Walter Rodgers reports. (February 25) PLAY VIDEO Iraq considers U.N. inspectors' demands on missiles. PLAY VIDEO SPECIAL REPORT •  War Tracker •  On the Scene Map •  Commanders: U.S. | Iraq •  Weapons: 3D Models •  Coalition casualties | POW/MIA •  Special Report RELATED • Text of draft resolution  • U.S. plans for post-war Iraq  • Saddam wants debate with Bush  LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Washington: A senior U.S. official tells CNN that the Iraqi military is moving heavy transport trucks Turkey: Political leader says 62,000-troop deployment proposal goes to parliament later in week Iraq: Centcom says coalition aircraft strike targets in both  no-fly zones United Kingdom: Prime Minister Tony Blair woos Labour support United Nations: British ambassador says U.S. and U.K. to decide on action before end of March; and rival resolutions on Iraq go to Security Council Iraq Tracker DAYS TO WATCH Wednesday or Thursday: Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix sends draft of quarterly report on Iraqi inspections to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  Saturday: U.N. deadline for Iraq to start destroying Al Samoud-2 missiles. Blix report is delivered to the Security Council. March 7: Blix briefs the Security Council.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush told reporters on Tuesday that "there's only one thing" Saddam Hussein can do to avoid U.S.-led military action against Iraq: "full disarmament."

When asked to expand on his comments, made after a White House meeting with his economic team, Bush said he expected to see Saddam "playing games" with the international community.

"He will all of a sudden find a weapon that he claimed he didn't have," Bush said. "I suspect that he will try to fool the world one more time."

The president's comments echoed earlier remarks by White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who said Iraq still had "an off ramp" from war if it "completely and totally and verifiably disarmed for the United Nations Security Council."

A key disarmament milestone is looming on March 1, the deadline chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix has set for Iraq to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles.

In an interview with CBS, Saddam denied that the missiles violate U.N. range restrictions; it was not immediately clear whether Saddam, in the interview, had refused or agreed to destroy them. (Full story)

Blix said Tuesday that Saddam's statement in that interview "is not an official response to us. We are still awaiting an official response."

In that same interview, Saddam challenged President Bush to a live international television and radio debate via satellite, saying, "As leaders, why don't we use this opportunity?"

The White House said it was not taking the suggestion seriously.

CBS did not air portions of the interview but showed graphics of quotes from the interview.

Turkish leader wants more support for troop vote

Meanwhile, the Turkish Cabinet has sent to the parliament a proposal asking that Turkey allow 62,000 U.S. troops to use the country as a base in a U.S.-led war with Iraq, several members of parliament said.

But the head of Turkey's ruling political party said Tuesday that he will delay talks in parliament on that proposal until he's sure the measure has enough political support to pass.

U.S. envoys had been meeting virtually around the clock for several days to with Turkish officials, trying to finalize a deal to allow about U.S. troops to use Turkish soil to launch a secondary northern front against Iraq in the event of war.

Officials said recent talks have centered on an economic package aimed at shielding Turkey's already weak economy from further damage.

Turkey also has sought assurances that Iraqi Kurds will not get more political or military power during and after any war. (Full story)

Resolution: Iraq missed 'final opportunity'

Members of the U.N. Security Council are weighing the competing proposals on Iraq which were submitted in closed session Monday.

A proposed resolution backed by the United States, Britain and Spain states Iraq "has failed to take the final opportunity" to disarm, but does not include deadlines or an explicit threat of military force. (Full Text)

Germany, France and Russia presented a memorandum, not a competing resolution, that says "the military option should only be a last resort" and calls for more inspections. (Full story)

Passage of the U.S.-backed resolution would require nine votes and no vetoes from the council's five permanent members. In addition to the United States and Britain, the permanent members include Russia, France and China, all of which have expressed strong opposition to military action.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair tried Tuesday to persuade his party to back him in any war with Iraq. He set out the case for war in a statement to the House of Commons, but many in his ruling Labor Party are against military action. (Full story)

The United States says Iraq is violating U.N. resolutions by refusing to account for its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs. Iraq insists it has no such weapons and that it has fully complied with the resolutions.

For latest developments, see CNN.com's Iraq Tracker.

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