l With the White House saying diplomacy was in its "final phase," Secretary of State Colin Powell said the United States would try to help find a haven for Saddam Hussein, his family and close aides if he would agree to go into exile.
l Saddam, in remarks televised Wednesday, said Iraq "has huge capabilities" and is ready to face a U.S. attack, "destroy it and defeat it." Iraqi Maj. Gen. Hossam Mohammed Amin said President Bush's State of the Union speech was filled with "cheap lies" about alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, insisting that "Iraq has gotten rid of all these weapons." Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz denied Bush's allegations about an Iraqi connection to Osama bin Laden's terror network.
l In a crucial, closed U.N. Security Council session, 11 of the 15 members supported giving more time to weapons inspectors to pursue Iraq's peaceful disarmament. U.S. and British diplomats insisted time for decision on war is approaching.
l In its first mobilization of forces to a potential combat zone since the Vietnam War, the Coast Guard said it was sending roughly 600 personnel and eight cutters to the Persian Gulf. The aim is to "deter the suicide bomb threat," Cmdr. Jim McPherson said.
l Four U.S. allies-- France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg-- voted to block plans for NATO to send planes and missiles to defend alliance member Turkey if there is war with Iraq.
l Italy cleared use of Italian bases for refueling and other "technical" purposes in a possible war, and Slovakia-- which is due to join NATO and the EU next year-- granted a U.S. request to open its airspace for military overflights.
l Iraq is in line to take over as chairman of the U.N. Conference on Disarmament in May, prompting one U.S. official to say: "The irony is overwhelming."<
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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