Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/5/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-299262

BYLINE=DAN ROBINSON

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: WILL BE UPDATED AFTER 2:30 P.M. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEWS CONFERENCE ///

INTRO: The top Democrat on the U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee says he hopes Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the United Nations will prompt the Security Council to pass a second resolution authorizing force to disarm Iraq. Correspondent Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: The ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden of Delaware, says Mr. Powell convincingly made the case that Iraq is deceiving the world about its weapons programs:

/// BIDEN ACT ///

Secretary Powell made a very powerful, and I think irrefutable, case today before the Security Council. The evidence he produced confirms what I believe and I have known for some time now. Saddam Hussein continues to attempt to maintain and garner additional weapons of mass destruction, and he continues the flout the world's command, through the United Nations, to disarm.

/// END ACT ///

At the same time, Mr. Biden says that while it is not a legal requirement, the United States should seek a second U-N Security resolution, setting a deadline for Iraqi compliance, before any U-S-led military action takes place.

Mr. Biden says the President must do more to build support among the American people:

/// BIDEN ACT ///

I have personally urged the President on more than one occasion to be very straightforward with the American people if he makes the judgment that we must go to war. Be straightforward about the commitment that the American people are being asked to shoulder. No foreign policy can be sustained without the informed consent of the American people.

/// END ACT ///

Prior to Secretary Powell's speech, Senator Biden and the heads of key Senate and House (of Representatives) committees met with President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other officials at the White House.

While many lawmakers were impressed by the depth of Secretary Powell's presentation, many still favor giving U-N inspections more time.

Later Wednesday, Democratic and Republican members of the House (of Representatives) plan to introduce legislation to require the President to return to Congress for a separate vote before ordering any military action against Iraq. (signed)

NEB/DAR/MAR/FC