US, British Leaders Hold Consultation on Iraq

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 09, 2002

US, British Leaders Hold Consultation on Iraq

US President George W. Bush andvisiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Saturday held consultations on a much-talked military assault against Iraq.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

US President George W. Bush andvisiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Saturday held consultations on a much-talked military assault against Iraq.

Citing satellite photos taken over Iraq, Bush said earlier Saturday that there is ample evidence Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is developing weapons of mass destruction.

"I don't know what more evidence we need" to indicate the Iraqipresident's attempt to develop weapons of mass destruction, Bush told reporters at his Camp David retreat as he greeted Blair for the scheduled weekend consultation on Iraq.

The New York Times reported Friday that a team of United Nations weapons inspectors, studying satellite photography, have identified several nuclear-related sites in Iraq where new construction or other unexplained changes have occurred since the last international inspections nearly 4 years ago.

On his part, Blair stressed "a policy of inaction" against Saddam Hussein "is not a policy we can responsibly subscribe to," referring to many US and British allies that are voicing opposition to a pre-emptive attack on Iraq.

"We've got to make sure that we work out a way forward that of course mobilizes the maximum support but does so on the basis of removing a threat that the United Nations itself has determined isa threat to the whole of the world," he said.

The British prime minister, a staunch friend of Bush and so farthe only ally with the United States in trying to promote a military action against Iraq, said earlier Saturday that Iraq should be "forced to disclose" what it has been doing to rebuild its military potential in recent years.

"We haven't the faintest idea of what has been going on for thelast four years other than what we know is an attempt to carry on rebuilding these weapons but the details of it is something that the Iraqi regime should be forced to disclose," Blair told reporters on board his special plane flying from London to Washington.

It was "essential ... that there is a proper regime in place for monitoring inspections" of Iraq's military, as the threat fromthe country was very real, he said.

Blair's visit to Washington comes at a sensitive time, only days before the first anniversary of the terror attacks on New York and Washington last September 11.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Iraq Ready for Comprehensive Settlement With UN: Minister

Blair: Iraq Must Be Forced to Disclose Military Potential

German, French Leaders Reject Unilateral Action Against Iraq

>> Full Coverage

Japanese Court Dismisses Germ Warfare Victims' Damages Claim ( 94 Messages)

China Plans to Stop the Overeas Flight of Corrupt Officials ( 69 Messages)

China Blocks the Way of Corrupt Officials Fleeing Overseas ( 5 Messages)

Survey Discloses Bad Service of Domestic Banks ( 4 Messages)

Quantitative Study Uncovers US Media Blackout: China Youth Daily ( 25 Messages)