Bush Wouldn't Have Given Saddam Benefit of DoubtThe New York Times
appears shocked:
But behind closed doors, the president was certain that war was inevitable. During a private two-hour meeting in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2003, he made clear to Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain that he was determined to invade Iraq without the second resolution, or even if international arms inspectors failed to find unconventional weapons, said a confidential memo about the meeting written by Mr. Blair's top foreign policy adviser and reviewed by The New York Times.As
Captain Ed points out this is hardly staggering news. There was only a month or so before the ultimatum expired, and Saddam was not cooperating.