COUNTDOWN TO WAR: US SETS DEADLINE WITHOUT 2ND VOTE: 48 HOURS TO QUIT IRAQ; Bush Issues Saddam Ultimatum Weapons Inspectors Pulling out Diplomatic Window Has Closed as a Result of the UN Failure - BUSH SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY Saddam's Had Many Chances in 12 Years. He's Blown It - COLIN POWELL Not Backing Disarmament Will Comfort Tyrants. - JACK STRAW Legitimacy of War Will Be Questioned, It's a Sad Day - KOFI ANNAN

Byline: RICHARD WALLACE US Editor in Washington

PRESIDENT Bush is giving Saddam Hussein and his key henchmen 48 hours to quit Iraq or face all-out war.

Mr Bush was due to deliver the ultimatum in a nationwide TV address at 1am this morning after the US and Britain scrapped attempts to secure a second UN resolution authorising war having failed to win over the Security Council.

Facing a devastating blitz of 3,000 bombs in the first two days of conflict, defiant Saddam rejected the president's marching orders.

Sixty UN weapons inspectors scrambled to quit Iraq, humanitarian workers were advised to flee Baghdad and Britons were ordered to evacuate Kuwait and Israel.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "This matter cannot continue indefinitely. The time for diplomacy has passed. Saddam's had many chances over the last 12 years and he's blown every one."

A senior Pentagon official added: "It was five minutes to midnight last week. Now it …

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Publication information: Article title: COUNTDOWN TO WAR: US SETS DEADLINE WITHOUT 2ND VOTE: 48 HOURS TO QUIT IRAQ; Bush Issues Saddam Ultimatum Weapons Inspectors Pulling out Diplomatic Window Has Closed as a Result of the UN Failure - BUSH SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY Saddam's Had Many Chances in 12 Years. He's Blown It - COLIN POWELL Not Backing Disarmament Will Comfort Tyrants. - JACK STRAW Legitimacy of War Will Be Questioned, It's a Sad Day - KOFI ANNAN. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Mirror (London, England). Publication date: March 18, 2003. Page number: 4. © 2009 MGN LTD. COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group.

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