President Bush Keeps Pressure on Iraq
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: At every turn, President Bush is refusing to slow down his criticism of Saddam Hussein. He is urging the U.N. Security Council not to back off on the issue of weapons inspections. Our senior White House correspondent John King tells us how the president is keeping this spotlight on Iraq.</s>JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president's tough statement included this impatient challenge to the United Nations.</s>GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Having made its demands, the Security Council must not back down when those demands are defied and mocked by a dictator.</s>KING: The late-afternoon appearance was designed to echo the key points of Secretary of State Powell's U.N. presentation.</s>BUSH: We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons.</s>KING: Mr. Bush says there now should be no doubt that Iraq has active chemical and biological weapons programs. He's hiding evidence from U.N. inspectors and allowing an al Qaeda terrorist cell to operate out of Baghdad. The president said he would welcome a second Security Council resolution, but only if it backs up the threat of force in the first resolution, and he voiced no patience for those who say inspectors deserve more time.</s>BUSH: The dictator of Iraq is making his choice. Now, the nations of the Security Council must make their own.</s>KING: Earlier, Secretary Powell told Congress preparations for war include going on alert for retaliatory terrorist strikes in the United States and across the Middle East.</s>COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We are talking to all of our friends in the region who might be subject to that kind of disturbance within their countries, making sure that they understand the threat and the consequences.</s>KING: A day after Powell's presentation to the United Nations, the administration said there is growing evidence the U.S. view on Iraq is gaining support. Mr. Bush began his day at Washington's annual prayer breakfast, and his thoughts the troops he might soon order into combat.</s>BUSH: One thing is for certain, we didn't ask for these challenges, but we will meet them. `</s>KING (on camera): As part of its tough line, the White House is dismissing a decision by Iraq to allow one of its scientists to be interviewed privately by weapons inspectors. Mr. Bush called it part of a -- quote -- "last-minute game of deception," and was quick to add, "the game is over." John King, CNN, the White House.