Bush gives 48 hour notice to Hussein
Around one quarter of a million US and UK troops are poised to attack Iraq following the 48 hour ultimatum issued by US President George Bush. (Photo: Notat) US President, George Bush, has given Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war. In a televised address at 2am Central European Time, Mr Bush signalled that diplomacy over Iraq was finally dead.
The address followed a traumatic day at the United Nations in New York and dramatic events in London which saw the resignation of the leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook, over the Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s readiness for war.
Saddam Hussein responded last night that he would not be leaving Baghdad. No less than 250,000 UK and US troops are poised to invade.
Military conflict imminent President Bush told America, Iraq and the world that his ultimatum to Saddam Hussein followed "decades of deceit and cruelty" and 12 years of diplomatic haggling.
Iraq would never disarm as long as Saddam Hussein holds power, he said. "The danger is clear: using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons, obtained with the help of Iraq, terrorists could fulfil their stated ambitions and kill thousands or hundreds of thousands of innocent people in our country or any other."
The President warned that the refusal of Mr Hussein to leave Iraq "will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing."
France to blame America and the UK both firmly placed the failure of the UN Security Council to reach a compromise position over Iraq on French shoulders.
According to Mr Bush, the failure of the Security Council to live up to its responsibilities forced the US to rise to its own.
"Some permanent members of the Security Council have publicly announced they will veto any resolution that compels disarmament of Iraq. These governments share our assessment of the danger but not our resolve to meet it," he said.
This view had been stressed earlier in the evening when UK Ambassador to the UN, Jeremy Greenstock, dropped the bombshell that consensus in the Security Council would not be possible.
This was due to one country’s resolve to veto any ultimatum "no matter what the circumstances", he said, with a scarcely veiled criticism that France had been ready to reject the latest compromise from the UK, US and Spain before even Baghdad itself.
France and Germany unmoved A statement from the office of the French President, Jacques Chirac, accused Mr Bush of taking a "unilateral decision" that was "contrary to the will of the UN Security Council," reports the BBC.
Germany was still insisting last night that more time should be given to UN weapons inspectors to do their job.
But Tony Blair’s pledge to back the US conflict with Iraq means troubled times ahead politically for the British Prime Minister.
Following cabinet member, Robin Cook’s dramatic resignation yesterday, Mr Blair faces a crucial debate in the House of Commons today when he will ask MPs to support "all means necessary" to deal with Iraq.
Although the backing of Conservative MPs is likely to secure the vote, the dissent of a majority of Labour MPs would inflict an embarrassing defeat on the Prime Minister.
According to the Greek Presidency, the UK and Spain are to blame for the failure to achieve a common EU foreign and security policy over Iraq.
The Presidency achieved a common position twice but "some countries" chose to side with America, outside of the EU framework, said Greek Spokesman, Panos Beglitis, in Athens on Monday.
The Spring Summit, scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week, is still set to go ahead. However, it is likely to address the issues of humanitarian aid for Iraq and the EU’s relationship with the Arab world, rather than the foreseen discussions on economic development in Europe.
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Speech Bush address to the nation
Written by Nicola Smith Edited by Andrew Beatty