US, UK Back Resolution, Iraq-Al Qaeda Link Alleged

27/09/2002| IslamWeb

HIGHLIGHTS: Anglo-American Jets Attack Basra Airport||Powell Dispatches Envoy to Paris, Moscow to Iron out Differences over a Draft UN Security Council Resolution on Iraq||Rumsfeld Claims Top Qaeda Leaders Have Been in Baghdad in Recent Weeks||US Congress Leaders Report Progress Towards Resolution Authorizing Military Force against Iraq|| STORY: The United States and Britain forged an agreement on the key elements of a tough new U.N. resolution setting out demands that Iraq disarm, while the Bush administration sought on Thursday to tie Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to the al Qaeda network.

In Baghdad, Iraq's state-run satellite television quoted a government spokesman as saying U.S. warplanes raided the civilian airport in Basra, home to key oil installations, and destroyed its radar system. It was the latest attack by Western jets enforcing so-called no-fly zones over Iraq imposed following the 1991 Gulf War.

The Pentagon said U.S. jets destroyed a military radar at the airport that threatened coalition aircraft.

STATE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHES ENVOY

Secretary of State Colin Powell said he has dispatched State Department official Marc Grossman to Paris and Moscow to explain the highlights of a new U.N. Security Council resolution, including consequences if Iraq fails to comply with requirements that it should give up its weapons of mass destruction.

"We came into agreement with the United Kingdom on what we thought a good resolution looked like and should contain," Powell told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Powell said the United States and Britain have begun consultations with the other permanent members of the 15-nation U.N. Security Council -- Russia, France and China -- which, like Washington and London, possess veto power on the council.

The U.S. push to win quick U.N. approval of a resolution has been delayed all week, first because of differences within the administration and then with close ally Britain, which urged Washington to soften some language, diplomats said.

Powell said the United States insisted that the measure find Iraq in violation of previous U.N. resolutions, specify what it must do to comply and "determine what consequences will flow from Iraq's failure to take action."

Grossman is set to begins talks in Paris on Friday after leaving on Thursday. He then goes to Moscow, returning late on Sunday. A British official, who was not identified, will accompany him, diplomats said.

France and Russia have voiced stiff objections. France favors a two-step process, with a first resolution threatening Iraq if it does not comply and a second one authorizing force, if necessary. Russia questions the need for a new resolution.

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin said, "We favor a rapid resolution of the situation around (Iraq) on the basis of existing U.N. Security Council resolutions, and in accordance with the principles and norms of international law."

Resumption of U.N. weapons inspections would address the concerns of the international community, Putin told the new Iraqi ambassador to Moscow after receiving his credentials.

In Paris, Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji discussed Iraq with President Jacques Chirac. Chirac's spokeswoman said Zhu backed France's two-step approach. Zhu did not speak to reporters.

NEW FRONT IN THE RHETORIC AGAISNT IRAQ

In Washington, the Bush administration opened its new front in the rhetoric against Iraq, with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld seeking to tie Saddam to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, including training related to chemical weapons.

Rumsfeld said senior al Qaeda leaders have been in Baghdad in recent weeks.

"We have what we believe to be credible information that Iraq and al Qaeda have discussed safe-haven opportunities in Iraq, reciprocal non-aggression discussions. We have what we consider to be credible evidence that al Qaeda have sought contacts in Iraq who could help them acquire weapons of mass destruction capabilities," Rumsfeld said at the Pentagon.

PROGRESS TOWARD CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION

U.S. congressional leaders also reported progress toward a resolution authorizing military force against Iraq.

On Capitol Hill, U.S. congressional leaders proposed a draft resolution that sought to address lawmakers' concerns that language offered a week ago by Bush was too broad.

The congressional draft makes clear the target of any U.S. attack would be Iraq, dropping a passage in which military force would be authorized to restore international peace and security in the region.

Bush made conciliatory comments after key Democrats accused him of politicizing the Iraq matter and national security issues before November congressional elections.

"This is not a partisan issue," Bush told a Texas, political fund-raising event. "This is an American issue, a uniquely American issue. ... I say uniquely American issue because I truly believe that now that the war has changed, now that we are a battlefield, this man (Saddam) poses a much greater threat than anybody could have possibly imagined."

"Other countries, of course, bear the same risk. But there's no doubt his hatred is mainly directed at us. There's no doubt he can't stand us. After all, this is the guy that tried to kill my Dad," he added, referring to an Iraqi plot to kill former President George Bush after the Gulf War

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraq's President Saddam Hussein chairs a meeting in Baghdad September 21, 2002. A former U.N. arms chief expressed fears on September 26 Israel might be pushed into using its nuclear arsenal in a war with Iraq, but Israel vowed it would take only 'proper actions' if hit by non-conventional weapons or it suffered casualties. (Iraqi News Agency via Reuters)