The CIA and United States special forces have been given authority to use “lethal force” to capture or kill Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein.
Details emerged this week of an intelligence order signed by President George W Bush instructing the CIA to conduct covert operations aimed at toppling the Iraqi leader.
The order, signed earlier this year, adds to evidence that the US is planning an all-out assault to remove the Iraqi leader, who forms part of Bush’s so-called “axis of evil”.
Government officials refused to comment on the order, but the Senate majority leader, Tom Daschle, confirmed that the Congress had been consulted about the move.
The order, an expansion of a previous presidential finding designed to oust Saddam, was reported by the Washington Post.
Bush has directed the CIA to use all available resources. These include increased support to Iraqi opposition groups and forces inside and outside the country in the form of money, equipment, training and intelligence.
The CIA is also increasing efforts to collect intelligence from within the Iraqi state and population.
The order also allows for the use of CIA and special forces, similar to those deployed in Afghanistan since September 11, who would be authorised to kill the Iraqi leader if they were acting in self-defence.
Bush first started talking openly about a pre-emptive strike two weeks ago, in a speech at the West Point military academy, although he did not specifically name Iraq. His war cabinet agreed in January that the policy of contaiment had failed.
Daschle said the Congress had expressed some reservations about the timing of a strike.
“There is broad support for a regime change in Iraq,” he said. “The question is how do we do it and when do we do it. I think the timing of all this is very important, but we want to work with the administration.”
The CIA director, George Tenet, has allegedly told Bush that covert action without attendant military action has only about a 10% to 20% chance of success. But covert action is viewed by some as a means of preparing for a military strike. It would identify targets, intensify intelligence-gathering on the ground and build contacts with future leaders. Reports suggesting that Bush had approved covert action first appeared at the end of February, but offered little detail.
In an interview in April, Bush said: “I made up my mind that Hussein needs to go. That’s about all I’m willing to share. The policy of my government is that he goes.”
Washington fears that if attacked, Saddam may use chemical and biological weapons on US forces and Israel. As well as covert action, the US has stepped up diplomatic and economic pressure on Iraq.