WASHINGTON (Islamweb & News Agencies) - President Bush said Monday the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan is ``just the beginning'' of the fight against terrorism, and he warned Iraq there would be consequences for producing weapons of mass destruction. (Read photo caption below)
The president, asked about Iraq and about potential military targets beyond the Afghanistan war, expanded on the list of ways a country can get crosswise with the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism.
``If anybody harbors a terrorist, they're a terrorist,'' he said. ``If they fund a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they house terrorists, they're terrorists. I mean, I can't make it any more clear to other nations around the world.''
``If they develop weapons of mass destruction that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable,'' the president said. That remark spelled out a new condition for countries that want to avoid being labeled pro-terrorist.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush was relating long-held views - not suggesting new policy or signaling post-Afghanistan plans.
Senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not dispute Fleischer but said Bush's remarks reflected a growing consensus at the White House that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could be the greatest hurdle in America's war on terrorism unless he moves on the weapons issue.
Aides fearing Bush's comments would upset U.S. allies reluctant to back action against Iraq said late Monday that Saddam is not necessarily the next target after Afghanistan. Other countries that harbor terrorists, such as Somalia, or need help to curb terrorism in their countries, such as Yemen, are just as likely to receive Bush's attention once the Afghanistan campaign is complete, they said.
On Iraq, Bush urged Saddam to allow weapons inspectors into the country ``to prove to the world he's not developing weapons of mass destruction.''
Asked what will happen if Saddam refuses, Bush replied, ``He'll find out.''
Iraq's U.N. ambassador, Mohammed al-Douri, said the Iraqi government will not allow U.N. weapons inspectors to return as long as the Security Council maintains sanctions imposed after Saddam's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
PHOTO CAPTION:
President Bush speaks to reporters in the Rose Garden of the White House after meeting privately with the two American aid workers held captive for three months by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, in Wahington. Bush said that the recession officially declared Monday should act as a clarion call for Congress to quickly approve an economic stimulus plan. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)