Bush keeps option of force to oust Saddam; says Iraqi president must know he is serious

WASHINGTON — President Bush yesterday left open the option of a military attack on Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein. Bush said the Iraqi president "needs to understand I am serious."

A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that Bush's top advisers and agencies of the government had been directed to develop and refine a full range of options.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the recommendations would then be circulated within the government and sent to the White House so Bush could make a final decision.

After meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Bush acknowledged that he is considering various options to deal with Saddam, but he would not disclose any details.

"I will keep them close to my vest," Bush said. "President Saddam Hussein needs to understand I am serious about defending our country."

Bush also said any alliance between terrorist organizations and terror-supporting nations with a history of pursuing nuclear or other destructive weapons would be "devastating for those of us who fight for freedom," and the United States would not tolerate it.

"We, the free world, must make it clear to these nations they have a choice to make," Bush said. "I will keep all options available if they don't make the choice."

CIA Director George Tenet is said to favor a plan that relies heavily on covert action, rather than an open military campaign.

In fact, the Central Intelligence Agency already is authorized to try to destabilize the Baghdad government.

Secretary of State Colin Powell suggested Tuesday, apparently in jest, that "natural causes" might be the solution. Powell, 64, noted Saddam was the same age but said he did not appear to be in as good condition.