UNITED NATIONS — The impasse between the United States and France over military action in Iraq has deepened in recent days after an effort to reach a compromise stalled, with the French insisting that the Americans must come back to the U.N. Security Council before they can use force, diplomats said Monday.
President Bush on Monday spoke in conciliatory terms of the United Nations, insisting that the negotiations are still moving forward. “We are working with all the parties to get a resolution done,” he said at the White House on Monday as he departed for Michigan.
“Anything we do must make it very clear that Saddam must disarm, or there will be consequences,” he added.
But Bush stressed, “The use of the military is my last choice, is my last desire.”
As part of their effort to explore all options short of war, senior administration officials said that they are trying to foment an uprising in Iraq, a strategy they had dismissed as recently as last spring.
Congressional officials said that the Central Intelligence Agency had already begun covert operations in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq. And military officials said the Pentagon planned broadcasts and leaflet-drops in coming weeks urging Iraqi military leaders to defect or rise up against Saddam.
The United States and Britain want one Security Council resolution that includes tough new conditions for weapons inspectors in Iraq and an authorization to use force should the Iraqis refuse to disarm. France wants any authorization to use force in a second resolution. Russia and China have leaned to the French view.
— Julia Preston and Eric Schmitt, New York Times