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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2002/09/item20020917000929_1.htm Australian Broadcasting Company September 18, 2002 6:22 PM AEST US prepares Iraq war resolution US Congress is expected to pass a resolution about war with Iraq in the next two weeks despite Baghdad's offer to allow weapons inspections. Democrats Senator Tom Daschle, who has consistently said the Bush administration has not proved its case, now says there will be a vote soon because it is clear Iraq President Saddam Hussein poses a grave danger. Details of the resolution are being worked out with the White House. Republican Senator John McCain says it needs to provide total and unreserved support. "In the eyes of the American people it will be an expression of support for the President to take action necessary to eliminate this threat to the security of the United States of America," Senator McCain said. The United States is keeping up its strong rhetoric, pouring scorn on the Iraqi move. US President George W Bush says the world must not be fooled by the offer and that a tough resolution is needed, with the option of a military strike, to force Iraq to submit. His position has been repeated by US vice president Dick Cheney. "In some quarters that was regarded as a significant breakthrough," Mr Cheney said. "The problem of course is that we've heard that sort of thing before." UN urged to act Prime Minister John Howard has called on the United Nations to respond immediately to Iraq's offer to readmit weapons inspectors. Mr Howard has told Parliament he has now analysed Iraq's letter to the United Nations and says there are a number of gaps in Iraq's announcement. "There was no commitment to allow inspectors full and unfettered access, there was no commitment to disarm including full disclosure of its illegal weapons of mass destruction programs," Mr Howard said. Mr Howard also says he wants a further Security Council resolution to maintain the pressure on Baghdad to meet its UN requirements. "The Government believes the Security Council needs to respond quickly and firmly to Iraq's offer," he said. Federal Opposition leader Simon Crean has urged the Government to use its relationship with the United States to try to change its attitude towards the United Nations. Mr Crean says it is in Australia's interests for the United Nations to resolve the issue. "What the Australian Government has to be doing is insisting on that process occurring as soon as possible, and using its influence with the United States to get a resolution up that ensures that they go in and then come back with a second resolution that determines the appropriate course of action," Mr Crean said. Shadow Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will meet the British Government later this week to discuss whether the Security Council member expects the United Nations to take any action against Iraq. More talks scheduled Meanwhile, more talks have been scheduled for next week between Iraq and United Nations weapons inspectors. The new dates were set in New York this morning during discussions between the chief weapons inspector Hans Blix and an Iraqi delegation. Iraq has also agreed to provide the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) with a backlog of reports on weapons sites monitored before inspections were suspended in 1998. The Iraqis were represented by Saeed Hasan. "We agreed to meet in Vienna in 10 days to finalise the practical arrangements; also in this meeting we reiterate and expressed the readiness of Iraq for the speedy and smooth resumption of UNMOVIC and IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency inspections]," Mr Hasan said. Security Council divisions There are sharp divisions within the Security Council on the resolution. Russia, one of five council members with a veto, says an ultimatum for Iraq is no longer necessary. "On the question of the work of the international inspectors and the work of UNMOVIC, from our standpoint, we don't need any special resolution for that to occur," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said. "All the necessary resolutions, all the necessary decisions about that are to hand." "In order to get the facts, we need to bring about the speedy return of the inspectors to Iraq without any artificial delay." With Britain siding with the US against Russia, China and France, it will be now be difficult for the Bush administration to achieve the US-sponsored ultimatum to Iraq it has been seeking. US criticised Meanwhile, former South African president Nelson Mandela has sharply criticised Mr Bush for his stand against Iraq, even in the face of the offer to allow weapons inspectors to return. Nelson Mandela says the United States accusations against Iraq are wrong. Mr Mandela is urging US officials to accept Iraq's promises that they will grant full access to international weapons inspectors. He says the US does not have the right to say the offer is not genuine. Mr Mandela says world leaders are keeping quiet while the United States wants to bully the whole world. It is the second time in a week that the respected statesman has strongly criticised the US. Last week, Mr Mandela described US foreign policy as a threat to world peace. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! 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