Audio Video: The US and Iraq

United Nations weapons inspectors prepare to enter Iraq after the country formally accepted the Security Council's resolution ordering it to disarm or face "serious consequences". BBC News Online looks at the war of words between those supporting the US and Iraq.

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IRAQ SAYS YES TO WEAPONS INSPECTORS

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13 November 2002
Iraq accepts UN resolution

Mr Al-Douri said the resolution had "bad contents"

The Iraqi ambassador to the UN Mohamed Al-Douri says Baghdad agrees to the terms of the new UN Security Council resolution calling on the country to disarm - a move that apparently clears the way for the return of weapons inspectors.

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports

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AWAITING IRAQ'S RESPONSE

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11 November 2002
Iraqis attack UN resolution

The Iraqi parliament has until Friday to decide.

Key Iraqi officials urge Baghdad to reject the new UN resolution on weapons inspections, in a special parliamentary session. The assembly's speaker Saadun Hammadi said the document was unacceptable. Mike Wooldridge reports.

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports

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CALLING IN THE UN

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8 November 2002
UN adopts Iraq resolution

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan

The Security Council unanimously approves a US and UK-backed resolution requiring Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction. It follows eight weeks of negotiations.

The BBC's Jim Fish reports

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

US President George W Bush

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair

15 September 2002
Bush lieutenants press UN over Iraq

Pressure mounts for UN to support action against Iraq

Senior US officials exert intense pressure on the United Nations to force Iraq to comply with UN resolutions as soon as possible to avert the threat of war.

The BBC's Nick Bryant reports

14 September 2002
UN says Iraq must face consequences

No signs of Baghdad yielding

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council agree action is needed to force Iraq to re-admit weapons inspectors, but set no deadline.

The BBC's Jon Leyne reports

12 September 2002
Bush issues ultimatum to Iraq

President Bush: "Saddam Hussein has made the case against himself"

The United States wants to work through the United Nations Security Council, President Bush tells world leaders at the UN General Assembly, but he warns that military action will be unavoidable if Iraq fail to comply with UN resolutions.

President Bush's speech in full

5 September 2002
Bush turns to UN on Iraq

Bush steps up his campaign for support for action

President George W Bush is considering seeking a UN Security Council resolution that would set a deadline for weapons inspections to begin again in Iraq, US officials say. Such a resolution could imply military action if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein failed to comply.

The BBC's John Sudworth reports

Democratic congressman Jim McDermott

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US PRESSURE ON IRAQ

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4 September 2002
Opposing views within US administration

Dick Cheney: Military action inevitable

The BBC's James Naughtie speaks to Democratic congressman Brad Sherman, a member of the House of Representatives International Relations Committee. He is a hawk who favours Vice President Dick Cheney's opinion that military action is inevitable, in contrast to Mr Powell's more cautious approach.

Democratic congressman Brad Sherman

27 August 2002
US 'won't wait for support'

Donald Rumsfeld visits US marines

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warns the United States will not wait for unanimous support before launching any military attack to remove Saddam Hussein.

The BBC's Steve Kingstone reports

21 August 2002
Bush maintains pressure on Iraq

President Bush keeps up the verbal attack on Iraq

President Bush renews his calls for a regime change in Iraq, saying it is "in the interests of the world" but promises that he will consult allies before taking any military action.

The BBC's Mike Wooldridge reports

20 August 2002
Rumsfeld claims Iraq leaders 'fully aware'

Donald Rumsfeld speaks out against Iraq's government

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he cannot believe Iraq's government is unaware of Islamic militants developing chemical weapons in the marshlands of northern Iraq.

The BBC's Richard Forrest reports

11 August 2002
Bush talks of Saddam 'danger'

President Bush talks to reporters at a golf club in Waco, Texas

President Bush, holidaying in Texas, takes time out to give an interview in which he emphasises his commitment to ousting Saddam Hussein, while denying there is any "imminent war plan".

President Bush's Texas interview

3 August 2002
US says regime change must happen

The return of weapons inspectors to Iraq will not change US policy

President Bush and US Under-Secretary of State John Bolton both stress Baghdad's invitation to the chief UN weapons inspector for "technical talks" makes no difference to America's demand for "regime change".

The BBC's Richard Forrest reports

US Under Secretary of State John Bolton

23 May 2002
Bush seeks European backing

President Bush in Germany

On a tour of Europe, President Bush receives warm official welcomes but US policy on Iraq draws little support among political leaders and provokes anti-US demonstrations in Germany.

The BBC's Angus Roxburgh reports

30 January 2002
Bush identifies 'axis of evil'

President Bush gives the State of the Union address

President Bush says Iraq is part of an "axis of evil" threatening the world's peace. He says he will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten the US with the world's most destructive weapons.

The BBC's James Robbins reports

State of the Union address

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IRAQ'S RESPONSES

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3 September 2002
Iraq pushes for UN dialogue

Mr Aziz: Taking threats very seriously

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz says he spoke with the UN Secretary General in Johannesburg and told him Baghdad is still hoping for a peaceful solution, but is "preparing to defend itself" form the threat of a US attack.

Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz

8 August 2002
Saddam calls for dialogue

People in Baghdad marking Saddam Hussein's birthday

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein says any attack on Iraq will be doomed to failure. He calls for peaceful dialogue but there is no sign of agreement on letting weapons inspectors back into the country.

The BBC's Rageh Omaar reports

Saddam Hussein's speech

7 August 2002
Iraq defiant over US threats

Naji Sabri says Iraq will not bow to pressure

Iraq's foreign minister Naji Sabri reiterates in a BBC interview that Iraq would not bow to pressure from the US and would only readmit United Nations arms inspectors if economic sanctions were also lifted.

The BBC's Rageh Omaar reports

17 July 2002
Saddam scorns threat to Iraq

Saddam Hussein: You will never defeat me

Saddam Hussein makes a defiant televised speech, saying that "evil tyrants and oppressors would not be able to unseat him and his government. "You will never defeat me this time. Never!" he warns.

The BBC's Paul Adams reports

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UK SUPPORT FOR BUSH AND REACTION

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5 September 2002
Pressure mounts to recall UK parliament

Bush and Blair discuss Iraq

UK politicians increase pressure on Tony Blair to recall parliament to debate the Iraq crisis. Both Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith and Liberal Democrat Charles Kennedy want Mr Blair to consult MPs at the earliest opportunity.

The BBC's Guto Harri

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith

3 September 2002
Blair faces flak over Iraq stance

Tony Blair faces the media in his own constituency

Seventy-one per cent of the UK public are said to be against an attack on Iraq. UK PM Tony Blair outlines his support for Mr Bush despite facing growing Labour and trades union rebellion and more hostility overseas.

The BBC's Andrew Marr reports

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair

Shadow foreign secretary Michael Ancram

Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell

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BACKGROUND TO US-IRAQI BREAKDOWN

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Paul Adams examines the breakdown of relations with Saddam

The West's involvement with Saddam Hussein goes back to the 1980s and relations have never been simple. Initially Saddam was a form of ally but later fell out with the West when he invaded Kuwait.

The BBC's Paul Adams reports