UK outlines Iraq demands

UK outlines Iraq demands

Saddam has used television addresses for defiant messages

Saddam Hussein must come clean on Iraqi television about his weapons of mass destruction and promise to give them up, says the UK.

The public declaration from the Iraqi leader among the list of specific demands unveiled by Tony Blair and his ministers.

The tests are part of the drive to secure agreement for a new United Nations resolution over Iraq.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw refused to guarantee that the joint US-UK-Spanish draft resolution would go to a vote at the UN as previously planned.

"Let us see whether we get there," said Mr Straw when pressed on the point.

The UK was working "flat out" for a new resolution and he was "hopeful" it could be passed.

But he had not expected French President Jacques Chirac to say he would veto the new resolution "whatever the circumstances".

End in sight?

Mr Straw said the resolution talks were "coming to a conclusion, which will have to happen before the end of this week".

Spain's foreign minister earlier also suggested the French veto threat might mean the draft resolution would not be put to a vote.

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The US and UK have taken a very arrogant and insular approach

Jeff Lewis, Canada

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But when Tony Blair opened an exhibition with German counterpart Gerhard Schroeder in London, both leaders stressed international friendships rather than differences.

The prime minister said: "What unites us is actually more than what divides us."

Mr Schroeder told Mr Blair: "I am very grateful for your friendship indeed and I hope and I know it will last much longer than the current crisis."

Speaking about the demand for Saddam Hussein's declaration, Mr Straw said: "Unless he were willing to spell this out to his own people in Arabic then we would have to think that it was another game or trick."

The other five tests are:

• Giving up stocks of anthrax or proving they have already been destroyed
• Flying 30 Iraqi scientists and their families to Cyprus for questioning about weapons programmes free from intimidation
• Accounting for the unmanned "drone" aircraft, discovered by UN weapons inspectors, which could be used for spraying poisons
• Surrendering mobile biological warfare production units
• Promising to complete destruction of banned missiles.

The UK has already proposed a 17 March deadline for the ultimatum.

But ministers say the timetable could be extended, although not beyond March, in order to get other nations' agreement.

Earlier, the prime minister's official spokesman sought to dispel speculation that America might go to war without British involvement.

'No doubt'

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld sparked diplomatic confusion by saying the UK's role was "unclear" because of Tony Blair's difficulties in convincing Parliament of the need for action.

With one brief comment he has managed to blow a series of massive holes in the prime minister's armour

BBC correspondent Nick Assinder

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Mr Rumsfeld later clarified his statement, saying he had "no doubt" the UK would provide "a significant military contribution".

At prime minister's question time, Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith tackled Mr Blair over the criticisms of cabinet minister Clare Short, who called his Iraq policy "reckless".

Mr Blair evaded the question, saying it was more important to focus on the "substance".

Downing Street

Urging the world to stand firm, he said: "What is at stake here is not whether the US goes alone or not.

"It is whether the international community is prepared to back up the clear instruction it gave to Saddam Hussein with the necessary action."

UK forces breakdown

Quarter of the British Army

120 Challenger II tanks

HMS Ark Royal, HMS Ocean and Naval task group

Tornados, Jaguars and Harrier aircraft

Doubts over troops readiness
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On Tuesday, six undecided UN members - Cameroon, Angola, Chile, Guinea, Mexico and Pakistan - suggested a 45-day deadline for Iraq to disarm.

But this was rejected by America, which is insisting that a UN vote on war against Iraq will happen this week.