January 26, 2003	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 22,1423

WASHINGTON, Jan 25: The United States has reiterated that “many nations” will join its “coalition of the willing” if military force was necessary to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

“I don’t think we’ll have to worry about going it alone,” Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters. “If it comes to (military action) we’ll be joined by many nations. Many nations have already expressed a willingness to serve in a coalition of the willing.”

The United States, he said, was prepared to act even without a further resolution from the UN. “We have had examples of this in the not-too-distant past, where the international community wasn’t able to act through the Security Council, but nevertheless action was taken by a coalition of the willing.”

Support from Britain, Australia, Italy, Spain and East European members of Nato, who are all willing to back a military offensive against Iraq, appears to have further strengthened America’s resolve to punish President Saddam.

Talking to reporters outside the State Department after his talks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Friday, Mr Powell indicated that US military action against Iraq was not dependent on UN inspectors finding a “smoking gun” there.

Both Mr Powell and Mr Straw said the onus was on Saddam Hussein to disarm or face the consequences.

“Saddam Hussein has not explained where (the weapons) are. He has, yes, ensured that traffic inspectors allow UN inspectors’ vehicles through on red. But that is not compliance,” said Mr Straw.

“Time is running out for him to comply fully with the terms of (the UN resolution) 1441,” he added.

Mr Straw said that Jan 27, when UN inspectors are scheduled to present their report to the Security Council, was not “a deadline” but “an important moment at which the United Nations needs to signal the determination ... of resolving this issue”.

Mr Straw said that the United States and Britain wished to maintain their faith in the United Nations, “but there has to be reciprocal responsibility shown by the United Nations”.

Playing down Germany and France’s vocal opposition to US military action against Iraq, Mr Powell said that both countries “do understand that the obligation (to disarm) is on Iraq; and if there is any confusion about that, I’m sure we will clear it up in the days ahead”.

Meanwhile in New York, Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told the Council for Foreign Relations that the only alternative to military action was complete cooperation from Iraq.