Bush Sending Mixed Signals on Iraqi Arms

President Bush sent Iraq mixed signals Monday, portraying the United States as determined to ensure that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein follows through on his promise to scale back his weapons program but stepping away from any discussion of military options.

“We are just insisting in every way we can that Iraq comply with the United Nations resolutions,” Bush told reporters aboard Air Force One as he was about to begin a daylong campaign trip to Milwaukee and Chicago.

“All options are open,” he said, as he has in recent days. But he declined to discuss any options.

On Thursday, the U.N. Security Council rejected Hussein’s arguments and ordered Iraq to comply immediately with the resolutions that ended the Persian Gulf War.

For two days last week, Tarik Aziz, Iraq’s deputy prime minister, had sought to win delays in U.N. inspections of his nation’s weapons program. The President characterized Aziz’s performance as “bobbing and weaving” and agreed that Aziz appeared to be “foot-dragging.”

Over the last week, the United States has moved the aircraft carrier America and five supporting ships into the Persian Gulf. But the Pentagon pictured the maneuver as a routine replacement of another carrier and not a prelude to military action.

“I wouldn’t read too much into the movement of a carrier. You know, we have carrier elements up in the Gulf from time to time. On the other hand, I think it’s fair to say we are determined that they follow through on what they said they’d do,” Bush said of Iraq.

Asked if he meant to signal that military action is imminent, Bush replied: “Just leave it where I’ve stated it.”

As questions drag on about inspection of Iraqi weapons facilities, which U.N. officials believe are being used to develop both nuclear and chemical weapons, Bush is seeking to keep pressure on Iraq to adhere to its postwar commitments. He is doing little to counter speculation that he may opt at some point for a military strike, while at the same time avoiding steps that could draw opposition within the allied coalition that could tie his hands.

A team of weapons inspectors from the U.N. Special Commission charged with eliminating Iraq’s chemical, biological and ballistic missile warfare programs is expected to visit Iraq this week, according to its chairman.