*EPF204 03/18/2003
White House Still Hopes Saddam Hussein Will Choose Exile
(Bush speaks by phone with the presidents of Russia and South Korea) (960)

By Wendy S. Ross and Alicia Langley
Washington File White House Correspondents

Washington -- The White House March 18 said it still hopes that Iraq's Saddam Hussein will take seriously President Bush's ultimatum and leave Iraq voluntarily so that Iraq can be disarmed peacefully of its weapons of mass destruction.

If the Iraqi dictator were to go into exile, there is the hope that coalition forces would be able to enter Iraq peacefully, "because Iraqi military would not be under orders to attack or fire back," White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters.

The President "knows that the chances are slim, that Saddam Hussein will leave," but he continues to hope that he will, Fleischer said.

But whether he leaves or not, "The bottom line is a coalition of the willing will disarm Saddam Hussein's Iraq no matter what," said Fleischer.

Bush, in an internationally televised address from the White House the evening of March 17, gave the Iraqi leader and his two sons a 48-hour ultimatum to leave Iraq or face military action. "The clock began counting at 8 o'clock p.m. Eastern time last night," Fleischer said. "Saddam knows what he needs to do."

But news reports say the Sadam Hussein regime rejected the U.S. demands in a statement broadcast on Iraqi television.

Asked if this means that allied military action could now begin before the 48 hours was up, Fleischer said:

"Let me make two points: One, Saddam Hussein has led Iraq to many mistakes in the past, principally by developing weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein, if he doesn't leave the country, will make his final mistake. The President continues to hope he will.

"On the question of timing, anything involving timing I will refer to the Pentagon."

Fleischer reminded reporters "that the president's words in his speech was 'a time of our choosing'" for the start of military action. "That's how the president expressed it."

But Fleischer reminded reporters that the deadline was also intended to allow innocent civilians to flee. "The President, as he promised in his news conference, wanted to give sufficient time period for others to get out of the country."

"Publicly, there have been a number of neighboring nations who have suggested that," the Iraqi leader leave, Fleischer said. "We believe that if he wants to leave he would be able to."

President Bush, Fleischer said, "is very, very focused. The president, having worked on this issue for such a considerable period of time, pursued the diplomacy with the diligence and the importance that the diplomacy deserved, believes now and is comfortable now with the fact that the moment of truth has come.

"And the president believes in his heart that to preserve peace around the world, Saddam Hussein must be disarmed. And he is comfortable with the action that is pending, and is confident that it will achieve its goal. He is, I think, rather serious these days about that, focused and determined to achieve that mission, and he's comfortable with it."

Asked how many countries will join with the United States in the pending action, Fleischer said in terms of actual, active combat, there would be very few countries, but "it will be a rather large number" -- some 30 countries -- who will provide basing, overflight rights and supplies.

"Not every nation has the ability to contribute; not every nation is in an area that is geographically advantageous concerning military operations or overflight or basing," he explained. "So, I think it depends significantly on the ability of these nations to contribute to a coalition."

Asked about a statement by France March 18 that if Saddam Hussein were to use chemical and biological weapons, France would assist the U.S. led coalition, Fleischer said, "One, I thought it was a notable statement. Two, let us hope it never has to come to pass."

Detailing the President's activities for the day, Fleischer said Bush met the morning of March 18 with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to discuss military operations. He also met with other Cabinet officials, had some domestic policy briefings, and continued making phone calls -- both to coalition members and those who will not be part of the coalition.

President Bush began his morning with a phone call to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Fleischer said. "They discussed the situation in Iraq. They underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation, despite the disagreements the United States and Russia have over the situation in Iraq. And President Putin reiterated to President Bush his invitation to visit St. Petersburg at the end of May."

Fleischer said Bush and Putin "openly acknowledged that they don't see eye-to-eye on whether or not force should be used to disarm Saddam Hussein. They agree about threats in the region, but it's no secret that they don't see eye-to-eye on whether the use of force is a required remedy to make Saddam Hussein disarm. But the two of them in the phone call did stress to each other the importance of maintaining good U.S.-Russia relations, and they both expressed confidence that it would, indeed, happen."

President Bush also this morning called to congratulate Hu Jintao on becoming China's President. "President Bush and President Hu agreed on the importance of good U.S.-China relations for the advancement of bilateral interests and international peace and stability," said Fleischer. "The presidents shared views on Iraq and North Korea. President Bush expressed appreciation for Beijing's efforts to help resolve the North Korean issue peacefully. President Bush also reiterated his administration's commitment to a one China policy."

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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