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United States President George W. Bush said Friday that his decision on whether to take military action against Iraq would be based on the "latest intelligence," though he will continue to listen to domestic debate on the issue.
"America needs to know, I'll be making up my mind based upon the latest intelligence, and how best to protect our own country plus our friends and allies," Bush told reporters at his private ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Bush, who has repeatedly vowed to seek a "regime change" in Iraq to overthrow the government led by President Saddam Hussein, made the remarks in response to criticism from his own Republican Party.
In an article published Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, former US national security adviser Brent Scowcroft said a US military attack on Iraq at this time would "seriously jeopardize, if not destroy, the global counter-terrorist campaign we have undertaken."
"I am aware that, you know, some very intelligent people are expressing their opinions about Saddam Hussein and Iraq," Bush said.
Describing the domestic debate as "healthy," Bush said he will continue to consult with the US Congress and allies on the Iraqi issue.
But he repeated his accusations that President Saddam "is trouble in his neighborhood" and "desires weapons of mass destruction."
"I will use all the latest intelligence to make informed decisions about how best to keep the world at peace, how best to defend freedom for the long run," Bush said.
The US president reportedly plans to meet his National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, over the weekend and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld next Wednesday at his private Ranch in Crawford.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2002)
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