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Friday, 11 October, 2002, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK
Congress backs Bush war powers
![]() US troops are already involved in exercises in the Gulf
The United States Senate has followed the House of Representatives in authorising President George W Bush to use force against Iraq.
The Senate voted 77-23 in favour of the resolution, without changing a word of it, meaning that it now goes directly to Mr Bush to be signed.
In an apparent softening of Moscow's position, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he did not rule out a deal on a new UN Security Council resolution on Iraqi disarmament. "We are ready together with our partners to search for ways to ensure the work of [weapons] inspectors in Iraq. I do not rule out reaching a joint position including a UN resolution," Mr Putin said. He had just emerged from talks with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who wants Moscow to go along with a resolution authorising the use of force against Iraq if it refuses to disarm. Bipartisan vote The Congress resolution text authorises Mr Bush to use force against Iraq in a manner "necessary and appropriate" to protect US national security and enforce UN resolutions. However, in a concession to Democrats it encourages Mr Bush to pursue all diplomatic means before he decides on any attack. The president welcomed the "strong bipartisan vote". "The Congress has spoken clearly to the international community and the United Nations Security Council," he said. "Saddam Hussein and his outlaw regime pose a grave threat to the region, the world and the United States. Inaction is not an option, disarmament is a must."
But an opponent of the resolution, Democratic Senator Robert Byrd, accused Congress of "handing the president unchecked authority". 'Iraq must comply' The House of Representatives earlier voted 296-133 in favour of the resolution, after the president and his supporters spent several days lobbying Congress to support it.
"The issue is how to best protect America. And I believe this motion does that," said House Minority leader Richard Gephardt. Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle (Democrat) said he was putting aside any doubts about the issue. "I believe it is important for America to speak with one voice," he said. "It is neither a Democratic resolution nor a Republican resolution. It is now a statement of American resolve and values." Our correspondent says some Democrats were genuinely convinced by the White House's arguments, while others simply felt unable to oppose the president on a matter of national security with mid-term elections less than a month away. Retaliation fear The resolution calls on Mr Bush to certify to Congress - either before a military strike or very shortly afterwards - that diplomatic and other peaceful means have failed. It also stipulates that he reports to Congress every 60 days if he does take action. The move comes amid a growing row over whether or not America's foreign intelligence agency, the CIA, genuinely believes that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein poses an immediate threat. A recently declassified letter from the CIA director, George Tenet, to a congressional committee appears to cast doubt on the immediacy of the threat from Saddam Hussein.
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See also:
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11 Oct 02 | Europe
11 Oct 02 | Americas
11 Oct 02 | Asia-Pacific
09 Oct 02 | Middle East
09 Oct 02 | Middle East
09 Oct 02 | Science/Nature
09 Oct 02 | Americas
08 Oct 02 | Americas
08 Oct 02 | Americas
02 Oct 02 | Americas
11 Oct 02 | Americas
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