The White House has dismissed Iraq's offer to allow US inspectors to search its weapons sites and warned Baghdad to obey UN resolutions on ending its weapons programs or risk military action.
Asked about Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Tawab Mullah Hwaish's offer today for Americans to tour suspected weapons sites, White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer replied: "This is not up to Iraq. This is up to the United Nations.
"The only question that remains is what terms would inspectors go back in under so they can do an effective job," the spokesman added.
Mr Fleischer also said US President George W. Bush expected a large bipartisan US House of Representatives vote authorising him to use military force against Baghdad and hoped this would show Iraq the seriousness of the US threat to use military force if Baghdad does not comply with UN resolutions to give up its weapons programs.
"The president hopes that this will send a strong message to the world and to Iraq that if Iraq does not obey the UN resolutions that the United States is prepared to enforce the peace," he said. "The president hopes that Iraq will understand the seriousness of the United States, our allies, and the world and will come into compliance with the UN resolutions."
Referring to the House vote, the spokesman added: "The president respects the opinions of those who differ with him on this .... The reports the White House has received indicate that this will be a large, bipartisan vote."
The Democratic-controlled US Senate is also expected to vote to support US military action against Iraq if Mr Bush deems it necessary, with fewer than 15 senators - most of them Democrats - dissenting.