Bush Insists He Has ‘No Timetable’ for War on Terrorism in Iraq

President Bush declared Iraq “an enemy until proven otherwise” Saturday but said he has “no timetable” for taking the war on terrorism to Baghdad to bring about a regime change in the oil-rich nation.

Bush nevertheless ardently underscored his oft-declared desire to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and said he intends to keep making the case to U.S. allies.

The president made his comments after teeing off for an early morning round of golf at a country club in Waco, not far from his ranch here, where he is taking a monthlong working vacation.

His remarks came after a spate of recent reports of competing military tactics to accomplish his goal--information leaked to the press that has greatly annoyed the White House.

Even as most lawmakers of both parties in Washington are backing Bush’s aim, his hope of unseating Hussein faces strong resistance not only from Arab nations but also from many U.S. allies in Europe, who fear that it could destabilize the Persian Gulf region and cause serious rifts in the anti-terrorism coalition.

Standing under an overcast sky in a purple-striped shirt, light-colored pants and a baseball hat, Bush recalled that in his last State of the Union address, he described Iraq, along with Iran and North Korea, as belonging to an “axis of evil” that seeks to obtain, and perhaps use, weapons of mass destruction.

He then said of Hussein: “I presume that he still views us as an enemy. I have constantly said that we owe it to our children, and our children’s children, to free the world from weapons of mass destruction in the hands of those who hate freedom. This is a man who has poisoned his own people. I mean, he’s had a history of tyranny.”

The president took exception to a reporter’s question based on the premise that he has been unable to attract “more support within the region and within Europe for taking action.”

“I think most people understand he is a danger,” Bush said.

He also said that consultations he is having--with members of Congress as well as foreign leaders--are “a positive part of really allowing people to fully understand our deep concern about this man, his regime and his desire to have weapons of mass destruction.”

It was in response to a question about whether the American public is prepared for U.S. casualties in Iraq that Bush sought to play down the notion that a military strike is near.

That question, the president said, “presumes there’s some kind of imminent war plan. As I said, I have no timetable.”

He added: “What I do believe the American people understand is that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of leaders such as Saddam Hussein are very dangerous for ourselves, our allies. They understand the concept of blackmail. They know that when we speak of making the world more safe, we do so not only in the context of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups but nations that have proven themselves to be bad neighbors and bad actors.”

Also Saturday, six Iraqi opposition leaders gathered in Washington for a teleconference with Vice President Dick Cheney, who is vacationing at his home in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

“We are very optimistic that [the Bush administration] will do something to effect regime change,” Sharif Ali bin Hussein, who is associated with both the Iraqi National Congress and the Constitutional Monarchy Movement, told reporters after the call. “We are working with them to facilitate that, because ultimately the U.S. did agree with us that it was up to the Iraqi people.”

In Waco, near the end of Bush’s brief encounter with reporters, the president demonstrated once more the balance he is currently maintaining between work and play.

Seeking to get on with his golf game, he quipped: “Last question, and then I’ve got to go chip and putt for a birdie.”

In Kennebunkport, Maine, last weekend, Bush was also on the golf course, preparing for another round, when he angrily condemned the latest violence in Israel and then said in the very next breath: “Watch this drive.”