WASHINGTON, 14 February - As speculation mounted over the timing of a US attack on Iraq, President George W. Bush said yesterday the United States would reserve its options in acting against Saddam Hussein, but he would not disclose them at this time.
"I will reserve whatever options I have. I'll keep them close to my chest. Saddam Hussein needs to understand that I'm serious about defending our country," Bush told reporters amid reports his administration has decided to oust Saddam.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported earlier that Bush has ordered the CIA, the Pentagon and other US agencies to devise plans to remove him. The newspaper said no military strike was imminent. But it quoted unnamed US officials as saying Bush had decided that Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs pose too great a threat to US national security for Saddam to remain.
"This is not an argument about whether to get rid of Saddam Hussein. That debate is over. This is how you do it," the Inquirer quoted a senior Bush administration official as saying.
The newspaper said the White House was determined to act even if US allies do not help, and is now waiting for government agencies to come up with a combination of military, diplomatic and covert plans aimed at achieving Saddam's ouster.
Escalating US rhetoric on Iraq has alarmed Russia and America's European allies in recent weeks, while causing concern among experts about the political and human costs of a lengthy US military campaign in the Middle East.
But the Inquirer said the CIA recently presented Bush with a plan to destabilize Saddam's regime, through a massive covert action campaign, sabotage, information warfare and significantly more aggressive bombing of the no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq. The president was reportedly enthusiastic, and although it could not be determined whether he gave final approval for the plan, the CIA has begun assigning officers to the task.
Vice President Dick Cheney is also expected to tell Middle East leaders about US intentions to get rid of Saddam during a tour of 11 Middle Eastern countries next month.
