Bush's patience running short on U.N. debate
From John King
CNN
LOS CABOS, Mexico (CNN) -- President Bush made it clear Saturday that his patience is running short on the U.N. Security Council's deliberations over a tough, new resolution demanding that Iraq disarm, amid an indication that China may be ready to support the U.S. position.
"As I said in speech after speech after speech, if the U.N. won't act, if Saddam won't disarm, we will lead a coalition to disarm him," said Bush, who is attending the APEC summit, a meeting of Asian and Pacific leaders in this Mexican seaside resort.
Saturday, Bush lobbied Mexican President Vicente Fox on the Iraq issue. Mexico has a seat on the Security Council, and, while Fox was noncommittal, U.S. officials believe Mexico will, in the end, support the American position.
The United States, supported by Britain, has been pushing for a resolution calling on Iraq to disarm and calling for consequences, including possible military action, if it does not comply. Russia and France, also permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, prefer a two-step approach in which Iraq would be pressed to disarm and, if it doesn't, then the council would consider a second resolution authorizing a military response.
China, the fifth permanent member, has been largely quiet during the debate. But as its foreign minister, Tang Jiaxuan, walked by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell at the APEC summit Saturday, he gave Powell a supportive wave.
In a remark picked up by a nearby camera's microphone, Tang said he had "no problem." Powell said, "Latest draft?" and the foreign minister nodded as he made his way back to the Chinese entourage.
The United States wants a resolution of the U.N. debate in the next week to 10 days, and officials, while voicing confidence, are also publicly talking about the possibility of a U.S. defeat on the council.
Powell said, "I can't tell you it will all be cleaned up this week, but we can't just continue to have a rolling debate without end."
