Iraqi parliament objects

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's parliament condemned a new tough U.N. resolution as full of lies and ill intentions during a special session Monday in which a senior lawmaker urged rejection of the Security Council directive--a prospect that could prompt an attack by the United States and Britain.\nPresident Saddam Hussein has used the rubber-stamp parliament as cover for difficult decisions in the past, and the tough language does not necessarily mean parliament will reject the proposal.\nAfter opening speeches, during which lawmakers applauded every time Saddam's name was mentioned, members went into closed session for two hours before adjourning until Tuesday. The opening of the emergency meeting was broadcast live on satellite television.\nSaddam ordered parliament to recommend a formal Iraqi response. Iraq has until Friday to accept or reject the resolution, approved unanimously last week by the U.N. Security Council in a fresh attempt to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction or prove that it has none.\nSalim al-Koubaisi, head of parliament's foreign relations committee, recommended the legislature follow the "wise Iraqi leadership," but advised lawmakers to reject the resolution.\n"The committee advises ... the rejection of Security Council Resolution 1441," al-Koubaisi told lawmakers.\nParliament's advice on the new U.N. resolution, which demands Iraq cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors or face "serious consequences," will be go to the Revolutionary Command Council, Iraq's major executive body headed by Saddam.\nShould parliament recommend acceptance, as expected, it would allow Saddam to claim the decision was the will of the Iraqi people. He could then more easily retreat from previous objections to any new resolution governing weapons inspections.\nPresident Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, dismissed the Parliament's response Monday and rejected the legitimacy of the parliament's debate on the resolution.\n"One has to be a bit skeptical of the independence of the Iraqi parliament from Saddam Hussein," she said. "I don't think anyone believes this is anything but an absolute dictatorship and this decision is up to Saddam Hussein."\nIraq has no right to accept or reject the resolution, she said. "They are obligated to accept, but the U.N. thought it best to ask for return-receipt requested," Rice said.\nSenior Bush administration officials said the president has approved tentative Pentagon plans for invading Iraq should a new U.N. arms inspection effort fail. The strategy calls for a land, sea and air force of 200,000 to 250,000 troops, officials said.\n"Should military action become necessary for our own security, I will commit the full force and might of the United States military and we will prevail," Bush said Monday in a White House speech.