Web extra: War 'is highly likely'

WASHINGTON — After listening to President Bush's State of the Union address, Utah's members of Congress say that only a slim chance now exists to avoid war with Iraq — and they wouldn't be surprised to see it erupt within 30 days.

"Based on what the president said, the only way to prevent it would be for Saddam Hussein to say, 'All right, I will come clean, show where I have been hiding all the weapons of mass destruction and stop threatening families of scientists.' That would clearly stop war," said Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah.

But he adds quickly, "If that does not happen, and I don't expect it to, I expect military action in the next 30 to 60 days. . . . Nothing is inevitable, but war certainly is highly likely now."

Agreeing was Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. "If we have military action, it will be in that (30 days or so) time frame. The president put a lot of emphasis on the Feb. 5 date when (Secretary of State) Colin Powell will appear before the United Nations with more details about violations by Iraq."

The delegation's lone Democrat, Rep. Jim Matheson, said, "I don't know if war is inevitable, but the president sounds like he is moving in that direction." Matheson hoped aloud that Bush will do more to persuade more nations to join America if war occurs.

Matheson said, "While I agree with him that we should not be dictated by what others think, it would still be very desirable if we do (go to war) to not go at it alone. I just finished meetings in 15 counties in Utah, and a lot of people share that same concern."

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said, "I don't think war is inevitable. The ball is in Saddam Hussein's court. He will determine his own fate, and one can only hope. . . . It depends on an attitude change in Iraq. If its government truly cares at all about its people, it will happen. The stakes are too high not to."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued a statement saying, "Saddam has never fully cooperated with weapons inspectors, and it seems clear now that he never will. We're very fortunate to have a man in the Oval Office who will ensure that the threat Saddam poses to the world is ended, one way or another."

On other matters from Bush's address, Bennett, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, praised Bush's tax cut proposals but warned they won't give much of a short-term economic boost.

"Our economy, as big as it is, has no quick fix," he said. "He's talking about structural things that will bring long-term growth. . . . He's exactly right, the only way to get the economy back is through growth, not necessarily government programs."