President Bush is set to address the United Nations General Assembly today.

Administration officials say the speech will challenge the UN to enforce resolutions requiring Iraq to accept the destruction of its chemical and biological weapons. The US will seek a single, toughly worded Security Council resolution that will authorize military action if Iraq refuses comprehensive inspections. Bush will tell the UN that its authority will be wrecked unless it forces Iraq to comply with previous resolutions.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will speak before Bush, and will argue that the US must not take action without a Security Council mandate. His office took the unusual step of releasing his remarks last night.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced it is preparing to send hundreds of military staff from the US Central Command to Qatar in November. Pentagon officials say the staff will probably form the core battle planning staff for an attack on Iraq.

Bush’s speech to the UN comes on the heels of a speech he gave yesterday, on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Tape:

• President Bush addresses the nation, September 11, 2002

Guest:

• Phyllis Bennis, fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington DC. Bennis is a journalist specializing in Middle East and United Nations issues and author of 'Calling the Shots: How Washington Dominates Today's UN’.