Washington: The United States is determined that January 27, the date on which the
United Nations inspectors in Iraq submit their report, will mark the start of the
endgame in efforts to disarm Baghdad, a media report on January 12 said.
"People who are saying that the 27th is not an important day don't know what they
are talking about. It is a very important day" marking "the beginning of the final
phase that the administration sees as quickly leading to decisive action,"
The 'Washington Post' reported quoting a senior government official.
The official's warning came as another 62,000 US troops were ordered into the
Persian Gulf region for possible war against Iraq. The total build up of American
troops is expected to reach 150,000 by February.
"Let me be very clear," the official said, "what we can't do is let Iraqis turn the
inspection regime into a trap for the international community."
"...It's not a matter of (the US) causing a crisis now. It's a matter of being
resolute enough...to decide that the Security Council should not be dragged down
this road again," he said.
The official said it was "entirely possible" that the administration would make a
nearly public presentation of its evidence that Baghdad is concealing facilities for
the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction, according to the daily.
The Bush administration, however, insists it has not decided on whether to attack
Iraq. US Secretary of State Colin Powell last week said that 27th was not a decision
day.
PTI
