Bush 'serious' about ousting Iraqi leader

BARRY SCHWEID, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Wednesday he would consider a wide range of options to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The Iraqi president "needs to understand I am serious," Bush said.

Bush did not exclude the possibility of a military strike to overthrow Saddam, who has pursued weapons of mass destruction and refused to admit U.N. weapons inspectors.

Secretary of State Colin Powell specifically included military action as an option, although he said Bush had not made a decision. Other administration officials said the process of formulating a policy was in an early stage.

Bush "is committed to regime change" and is considering the use of anti-Saddam opposition forces, "military activity and other kinds of activity," Powell said.

Bush declined to disclose details of options he is considering.

"I will keep them close to my vest," Bush said. "President Saddam Hussein needs to understand I am serious about defending our country."

Accelerating the U.S. decision-making process is that Iraqi weapons of mass destruction might be used in attacks on the United States, officials said.

'All options available'

"We, the free world, must make it clear to these nations they have a choice to make," Bush said. "I will keep all options available if they don't make the choice."

CIA Director George Tenet is said to favor a plan that relies heavily on covert action. The Central Intelligence Agency already is authorized to try to destabilize the Baghdad government.

Powell on Wednesday held out hope that the U.N. Security Council in May would adopt "smart sanctions" that would permit Iraq to import a wide range of goods.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi vice president, Taha Yassin Ramadan, accused the United States of "flagrant interference in Iraq's internal affairs." He said Bush's designation of Iraq as part of an "axis of evil" and Powell's call for "regime change" reflected "the criminality and terrorism of the U.S. administration."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to main Home Page Stories index