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khaosworksU.S., Britain Propose March 17 Deadline
UK troops told Iraq war to start March 17 - paper
UNITED NATIONS - The United States and Britain proposed an ultimatum Friday for Saddam Hussein to comply with U.N. inspections by March 17 or face a military attack.Earlier...
But France, Germany, and other Security Council members rejected the plan, an amended U.S.-British-Spanish resolution that paves the way for war. Opponents said the proposal would automatically lead to military action, and France threatened to wield its veto.
U.S. officials said they want a vote early next week.
The council meeting, held a day after President Bush said the crisis was in its "last phase of diplomacy," appeared to leave Washington and London struggling for U.N. support. Despite weeks of diplomatic maneuvering, they have been unable to muster the nine votes necessary for the resolution's passage.
UK troops told Iraq war to start March 17 - paper
LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - Britain's Daily Express newspaper said on Thursday British troops based in the Gulf had been told to prepare for an invasion of Iraq on March 17.Looks like the schedule is set.
The newspaper, quoting unnamed Westminster sources, said British officers based in Kuwait had been told to expect an invasion on that date, preceded by a massive "short and sharp" air blitz on Iraq from March 13.
A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said she had no comment on the story.
The U.S. and Britain have committed more than 300,000 troops to the Gulf region along with dozens of warships and more than 500 attack aircraft for a possible war against Iraq.
