To those who doubted that the US wasn't willing to pay (or play some more poker):
The White House is expected to ask Congress for up to $90 billion to pay for a war with Iraq
A round up of events (my favorite: "A CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll found eight in 10 Americans would support a U.S. invasion if the U.N. passed a resolution; 54 percent would support it if the resolution did not pass; people were just about evenly split on an invasion if the United States did not offer a U.N. resolution and said it would proceed with military action without any new vote.")
Defiant Saddam Faces U.S. Ultimatum
Of interest:
"While France, Germany and Russia made clear their continued opposition to war — and Canada said its troops would not participate" hey, at least I know where my home country stands! (Canada)
"Australia and Poland said their troops would participate"
"We believe that our actions now are supported by international law, whatever actions we take, said Powell" (that's general Collin Powell, USA)
Blix Outlines Steps Iraq Must Take
Of interest:
Chief U.N. inspector Hans Blix on Monday spelled out exactly what Iraq must do to prove it has disarmed and avoid U.S.-led military action, even as war looms. In a report to the Security Council, Blix said if Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) cooperates, the dozen key remaining disarmament issues could be resolved in months.
The chief inspector was required to produce the list before the end of March but speeded up its presentation at the request of France, Germany and other council members.
The list, obtained by The Associated Press, includes many of the key issues in the dossier — anthrax, VX nerve agent, mustard gas, missiles, chemical and biological munitions and warheads, drones and Scud missiles.
So now the situation appears to be that the US is not willing to wait for "months", for a resolution of the outstanding issues, and will still maintain that Saddam is/has been funding terrorist groups, and as such, is a "clear and present danger" to world peace. I don't see how the UN could/would convince Bush otherwise: he's going to play the strong hand, and let everyone else fold.