The crucial report of the UN chief weapons inspectors to the UN Security Council this morning is expected to raise continued questions about Iraq's compliance with UN disarmament demands, but to support continued inspections, writes Conor O'Clery, in New York
Chief weapons inspector Dr Hans Blix and his nuclear weapons counterpart, Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, will address the council at 3:15 p.m. Irish time, after which it will go into private session.
Dr El Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Authority, said last night: "In my view Iraq still has a chance to exonerate itself, but time is critical." The Security Council is facing one of the most serious crises in its 58-year history, with the 15 members bitterly divided over whether to authorise military action led by the US.
The US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, said he intends to ask France and Germany whether they are opposing war "in order to get Saddam Hussein off the hook and no disarmament". Britain has drafted a new resolution declaring Baghdad in breach of Resolution 1441 for failing to co-operate fully - an automatic trigger for war. The resolution could be tabled later today or over the weekend, diplomats said.
Dr Blix will tell the council that UN experts have confirmed that Iraq has developed missiles with a range exceeding a UN-imposed limit of 150 km.
The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, said this in itself would be a breach of Resolution 1441, which requires Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction, and the White House called it "a serious and troubling" development.
However, Russian and French diplomats insisted the missile report supported their view that inspections were making progress and that Iraq was co-operating, since Baghdad reported the missile systems.
After examining data on Iraq's al-Samoud 2 and al-Fatah missile systems, a team of experts found that the al-Samoud 2 went beyond the 150 km limit (the distance from Iraq to Israel) in 13 out of 40 tests, once travelling 183 km.
Today's session will bring Mr Powell face to face with foreign ministers Mr Joschka Fischer of Germany and Mr Dominique de Villepin of France, two of the most outspoken opponents of a US-led war.
Mr Fischer said yesterday Germany did not think Iraq was in "material breach" of 1441. A majority of the council's 15 members support Germany's position. Of the five veto-bearing members, Russia, France and China are in favour of continuing inspections.
The US and France did agree yesterday on one issue - that it was "unacceptable" for Iraq to take its turn as president of the UN Conference on Disarmament on March 17th. If Iraq is stood down, Ireland would take its place.
President Bush told hundreds of US sailors at Mayport Naval Station in Florida that the United States would act deliberately, decisively and victoriously and "use every ounce of our power to defeat" Saddam Hussein if war came.
"We'll protect America and our friends and allies from these thugs," said Mr Bush, clad in a bomber jacket with a frigate and guided missile cruiser behind him. "Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al-Qaeda," he declared.
On Capitol Hill Mr Powell yesterday warned Americans to be "prepared for a fairly long-term commitment" in Iraq. He said the US military leader, Gen Tommy Franks, would take temporary charge of Iraq after an American victory.