saddam taking early retirement?war off, page-25

re: saddam and powell Powell sees shrinking support.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has told a meeting of the UN Security Council it must not shrink from taking action against Iraq, if Saddam Hussein fails to disarm.

The Security Council is divided over the need for military action any time soon against Iraq.

On the floor of the UN Security Council Mr Powell uttered what sounded like an ultimatum to council members.

"We cannot be shocked into impotence because we're afraid of the difficult choices that are ahead of us," he said.

The UN received support from British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

"Time is running out for Saddam Hussein," he said.

But German Foreign Minister Joscke Fischer said war against Iraq could damage efforts aimed at fighting terrorism.

"These are fundamental reasons for our rejection of military action," he said.

Some Council members feel the US is setting an artificial deadline for action against iraq to ensure its military has the best chance of fighting before the hot Iraqi summer.