US prepared to be flexible on second resolution, says Ari Fleischer

Описание: (14 Mar 2003)
1. Wide shot of Ari Fleischer walking into briefing room
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer
"The end is coming into sight, and there are numerous routes to reach that end through the diplomacy the president is pursuing. The president has said that he seeks a vote, and we seek a vote. There are options, as the Secretary has said. I discussed with you this morning the possibility of the vote coming to a conclusion tomorrow, or it can continue into next week. There are numerous options to achieving the end the president seeks, which is a diplomatic solution. I cannot predict for you every shape and turn of the road on the way to that end, but this end is coming into sight, and that's why you're seeing some levels of flexibility and options as it comes into sight."
3. Cutaway
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer
"What you're seeing is the president going the last mile on behalf of diplomacy. There's an end to that road, the end is coming into sight. Until it is final, and the road is traveled, this president is determined to pursue a variety of diplomatic options."
5. Cutaway
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer
"France has made many interesting comments as of late. France has said they reject the logic of ultimatums. This is what the foreign minister said. France also looked at the British proposal, and they rejected it before Iraq rejected it. If that's not an unreasonable veto, what is? So we look at what France is doing, and we wish they were doing otherwise."
7. Wide shot of press

STORYLINE:

In a reversal, the White House said Thursday that President Bush is open to briefly delaying a vote on his U.N. war resolution until next week if the postponement would help gain support for the measure.

Testifying before a congressional committee, Secretary of State Colin Powell said one option was to drop plans for a Security Council vote.

The administration had been pushing for a vote by Friday, but signaled a change early Thursday when White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said it "may conclude" on Friday or it "may continue into next week."

The move came as France hinted for the first time that it may be prepared to come to an agreement on a new resolution.

In an apparent softening of the French position, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said that Paris wanted to achieve a consensus in the Security Council.

Meanwhile, the administration had unusually harsh criticism for France, which rejected a British compromise resolution earlier Thursday, a position from which it now seems to be retreating.

France's threatened veto would sink the tough new resolution that Bush seeks.

Bush had been scheduled to go the Capitol on Thursday for the traditional St. Patrick's Day luncheon with lawmakers and dignitaries. But at the last minute he canceled his appearance to remain in the Oval Office and continue telephone diplomacy.

The president called two Security Council allies Thursday - British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxcoburggotski. Aides said he planned further calls throughout the day.

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