*EPF302 03/19/2003
White House Report, March 19: U.S. Policy on Iraq
(From Press Secretary's early morning briefing) (560)

BUSH SENDS LEGAL DETERMINATION FOR WAR TO CONGRESS

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters early March 19 that the White House the previous evening had sent to Congress the documents required before taking military action against Iraq, as called for under Congress' 2002 resolution authorizing such action. "These are the determinations that reliance by the United States on diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor likely lead to enforcement of United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq," Fleischer said.

"The resolution states that prior to hostilities or within 48 hours after hostilities, these determinations must be made from a legal point of view," Fleischer noted.

WHITE HOUSE GIVES NO CLUES ON TIMING OF WAR ANNOUNCEMENT

In the event of war, Bush would address the nation from the Oval Office, Fleischer said. He told reporters to "assume you will not have a lot of notification prior to the speech," in order for the United States "to maintain as much tactical secrecy as possible."

WHITE HOUSE SEES "NO INDICATIONS" THAT SADDAM WILL LEAVE

"Unfortunately, we have seen no indications from Iraqi authorities that Saddam Hussein will avail himself of this final chance to avoid military conflict," Fleischer told reporters.

"Americans should be prepared for what we hope will be as precise and as short a conflict as possible, but there are many unknowns, and it could be a matter of some duration. We do not know. Americans have prepared for loss of life, Americans have prepared for the importance of disarming Saddam Hussein to protect the peace," the press secretary said.

"Clearly, one of the major concerns we have is that we are up against an enemy who may use chemical or biological weapons. This is why there have been so many efforts made to reach out to the Iraqi generals and leaders to tell them, don't obey orders to use weapons of mass destruction..."

"Through the Department of Defense there have been many communications to Iraqi officials through pamphlets and their ability to disseminate information. And the message is, you should not engage in conflict, you should not conduct yourselves in a hostile manner, you should not obey orders."

WHITE HOUSE PLEASED WITH BRITISH PARLIAMENT'S SUPPORT OF BLAIR

"The president is very pleased that the Parliament of the United Kingdom has demonstrated its strong support for Prime Minister Blair, Prime Minister Blair's leadership and Prime Minister Blair's efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein to protect peace," Fleischer told reporters.

TURKISH PARLIAMENT TO VOTE AGAIN TODAY

Whether or not Turkey will allow the United States to use its bases for war in Iraq "remains a matter for Turkey to make a decision on," according to Fleischer.

Asked about the status of the aid package the U.S. had offered Turkey in return for its permission to use military bases on Turkish soil to launch a ground war in Iraq, Fleischer said "The previous (aid) package was contingent upon full cooperation of Turkey. Full cooperation from Turkey in this regard has not materialized, and so therefore the previous aid package is not on the table."

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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