Iraq proposes 'pistols at dawn' to settle differences Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan has suggested United States President George W Bush and his Iraqi counterpart Saddam Hussein could settle their differences by choosing their weapons and having a duel.
In an interview with Abu Dhabi television also carried by CNN, Mr Ramadan said: "Bush wants to attack the whole of Iraq, the army and the infrastructure.
"If such a call is genuine, then let the American President and a selected group with him face a selected group of us.
"And we choose a neutral land and let [UN secretary-general] Kofi Annan be a supervisor.
"Both groups should use the same weapons, a President against a President, a Vice-President against a Vice-President and a duel takes place.
"If they are serious, this way we are saving the American and the Iraqi people," he concluded.
The duel suggestion comes after White House statements that a bullet would be a cheaper way to depose Saddam than a war.
The White House has scoffed at the suggestion, describing it as irresponsible.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "There can be no serious response to an irresponsible statement like that."
Mr Fleischer derided the proposal, saying: "In the past when Iraq had disputes, it invaded its neighbours.
"There were no duels, there were invasions. There was use of weapons of mass destruction and military. That's how Iraq settles its disputes."
