The White House is claiming international opposition to its proposed military action against Iraq is softening.
The comments follow more world leaders saying President Saddam Hussein cannot be allowed to snub UN weapons inspectors.
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France, Spain, Denmark and The Netherlands denounced Saddam in exceptionally blunt terms yesterday. Some allies also said military action cannot be ruled out if the United States works through the UN to confront Saddam.
"It does appear that a movement is budding to put some force to previous UN resolutions," White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said.
"It's clear that both the Congress and the UN are returning to an issue that had not gotten sufficient attention in recent years, and now some muscle looks like it's being put at least rhetorically into the deliberations of the world's leaders".
Advisers to President George W.Bush said privately the president was pleasantly surprised by a proposal from French president Mr Jacques Chirac of a three-week deadline to allow the return of UN weapons inspectors. If refused, a second resolution to use military force would have to be passed.
AP