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President George W Bush has said he will present fresh evidence to the United Nations next week about Iraq' s weapons programme, and has vowed to lead a military campaign if the Iraqis do not disarm.
"We will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm for the safety of our people, and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him," Mr Bush told Congress in his State of the Union speech. He listed a number of banned weapons Iraq had failed to account for and accused President Saddam Hussein of lying to the world.
BBC Washington correspondent Justin Webb says the address was not quite a declaration of war - but it came pretty close.
The question everyone on everyone's lips was whether or not Mr Bush was preparing his people for war. The answer, our correspondent says, seems to be yes.
In the address, the US president also highlighted domestic issues - including the economy, taxes, and health care.
Although there are nearly two years to go before the next presidential election, analysts say Mr Bush's performance could be vital in reversing a downward trend in his popularity.
In their response, the opposition Democrats have criticised the president's economic plans - but supported him on Iraq.
Warning to Baghdad
"Almost three months ago, the United Nations Security Council gave Saddam Hussein his final chance to disarm," Mr Bush said. "He has shown instead his utter contempt for the United Nations, and for the opinion of the world.
"The dictator of Iraq is not disarming. To the contrary, he is deceiving."
Mr Bush announced that he would ask the United Nations Security Council to meet on 5 February to consider "Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world".
He said Secretary of State Colin Powell would present intelligence about Iraq's weapons programs, "its attempts to hide those weapons from inspectors, and its links to terrorist groups".
Wide agenda
In his hour-long address, Mr Bush touched on a range of foreign and domestic policy issues.
"We think it's upside down economics," Washington state Governor Gary Locke said on behalf of the minority Democrats.
* The war on terror: "We have the terrorists on the run."
* North Korea's nuclear programme: "America and the world will not be blackmailed."
* Aids: $15bn over five years to help fight Aids in Africa and the Caribbean.
* Lower taxes to stimulate the economy.
* Health care: "we must work toward a system in which all Americans have a good insurance policy."
* The environment: $1.2bn towards research on hydrogen-powered cars.
* Help for faith-based charities assisting the poor.
Constructive criticism
In their response to the speech, the Democrats attacked the president's economic plan. "It does too little to stimulate the economy now and does too much to weaken our economic future," he said.
The Democrats have opposed President Bush's plan to cut taxes on shareholders' dividends, saying the move would favour the wealthy.
However on Iraq and nuclear proliferation Mr Locke backed the president - although he stressed the need for international consultation.
"We also support the president in working with our allies and the United Nations to eliminate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-il of North Korea," Mr Locke said.
"We support the president in the course he has followed so far: working with Congress, working with the United Nations, insisting on strong and unfettered inspections."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2704507.stm
"We will consult, but let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm for the safety of our people, and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him," Mr Bush told Congress in his State of the Union speech. He listed a number of banned weapons Iraq had failed to account for and accused President Saddam Hussein of lying to the world.
BBC Washington correspondent Justin Webb says the address was not quite a declaration of war - but it came pretty close.
The question everyone on everyone's lips was whether or not Mr Bush was preparing his people for war. The answer, our correspondent says, seems to be yes.
In the address, the US president also highlighted domestic issues - including the economy, taxes, and health care.
Although there are nearly two years to go before the next presidential election, analysts say Mr Bush's performance could be vital in reversing a downward trend in his popularity.
In their response, the opposition Democrats have criticised the president's economic plans - but supported him on Iraq.
Warning to Baghdad
"Almost three months ago, the United Nations Security Council gave Saddam Hussein his final chance to disarm," Mr Bush said. "He has shown instead his utter contempt for the United Nations, and for the opinion of the world.
"The dictator of Iraq is not disarming. To the contrary, he is deceiving."
Mr Bush announced that he would ask the United Nations Security Council to meet on 5 February to consider "Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world".
He said Secretary of State Colin Powell would present intelligence about Iraq's weapons programs, "its attempts to hide those weapons from inspectors, and its links to terrorist groups".
Wide agenda
In his hour-long address, Mr Bush touched on a range of foreign and domestic policy issues.
"We think it's upside down economics," Washington state Governor Gary Locke said on behalf of the minority Democrats.
* The war on terror: "We have the terrorists on the run."
* North Korea's nuclear programme: "America and the world will not be blackmailed."
* Aids: $15bn over five years to help fight Aids in Africa and the Caribbean.
* Lower taxes to stimulate the economy.
* Health care: "we must work toward a system in which all Americans have a good insurance policy."
* The environment: $1.2bn towards research on hydrogen-powered cars.
* Help for faith-based charities assisting the poor.
Constructive criticism
In their response to the speech, the Democrats attacked the president's economic plan. "It does too little to stimulate the economy now and does too much to weaken our economic future," he said.
The Democrats have opposed President Bush's plan to cut taxes on shareholders' dividends, saying the move would favour the wealthy.
However on Iraq and nuclear proliferation Mr Locke backed the president - although he stressed the need for international consultation.
"We also support the president in working with our allies and the United Nations to eliminate the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong-il of North Korea," Mr Locke said.
"We support the president in the course he has followed so far: working with Congress, working with the United Nations, insisting on strong and unfettered inspections."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2704507.stm