WASHINGTON, Sept 19: US Senate Majority Leader Democrat Tom Daschle said Thursday he would be reluctant to give President George Bush carte blanche to go to war with Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

“I wouldn’t give unilateral authority for any president to go to war under any circumstances,” Daschle said as lawmakers awaited Bush’s draft resolution to authorize him to “use force” against Saddam.

“I’m told we’ll receive it some time today,” Daschle told reporters.

At that point Senate Democrats would look at the measure and make their suggestions, including whether or not it should grant the president the authority to act unilaterally.

“We don’t want to be a rubber stamp, but we do want to be supportive,” he said.

“Whatever we authorize, whatever we say in that resolution there has to be an understanding that we are in this together, that we are going to work on this together, that we make the best judgment in the course of action”.

The Senate leader welcomed Bush’s decision to consult the Congress and address the United Nations on Iraq, but questioned to what extent the UN should determine US action.

“Most Democrats are wary of unilateral action, but we recognize that there are times when unilateral action is required,” he said.

Some Republicans, who are in a minority in the Senate but control the House, have expressed reservations on how much of an immediate threat Saddam poses to the United States. But they are expected to rally around the president when it comes to a vote on the resolution.

“When all is said and done, I think it will probably be overwhelming, in both houses,” said Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott last week.—AFP