Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Californian Democrat, argued that the administration has provided no proof that Iraq is harboring weapons of mass destruction, is sheltering members of al-Qaeda network, or had any links to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The bill reflects increasing sentiments among US lawmakers, including the Republicans, that although a US invasion into Iraq may be inevitable, the Bush administration should somehow get the green light from the congress before it takes military actions to overthrow the Iraqi government led by President Saddam Hussein.

Joseph Biden, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday expressed doubt that the Bush administrationwill go after Saddam this year.

He told reporters that President George W. Bush has not made uphis mind yet on how to seek a regime change in Iraq despite intensified saber-rattling against the Middle East country.

"They may have made up their mind on regime change, but I'd be very, very surprised if the president has made a decision on how he intends to change the regime. I'd be even more surprised if there's any such attempt in the near term, meaning between now and the first of the year (2003)," the senator said.

Biden recalled that he has asked administration officials if there would be any "October surprises" on Iraq, as local and worldmedia have speculated. "I was told no -- no October surprises."

Although he believes that a US military strike against Iraq is unlikely this year, the senator pointed out that the United Statesmust start now to assess the costs, risks and benefits of overthrowing Saddam.

Talking about Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings beginning on Wednesday on the Iraqi issue, Biden said they are intended to flesh out issues that few in the congress or the administration have so far discussed publicly.

He also expressed doubt that the Bush administration would move against Iraq without winning the congress' support first.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2002)