"We need to weigh the risks of action versus the risks of inaction," said Democratic Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, at the start of two days of hearings on assessing the Iraqi threat.

It is important to consider what US responsibilities would be in the region if Washington toppled Saddam, stressed Biden who had said earlier the US could not start a war on Iraq this year.

"We must estimate soberly the human and economic cost of war plans and post-war plans," agreed Republican Senator Dick Lugar, a member of the same panel.

Bush has stated his determination to remove Saddam Hussein from power, insisting that the Iraqi president's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the United States and its allies.

Lawmakers have insisted that Bush consult with Congress and clearly outline his military plan before pursuing his objective, and warned that the president has to persuade the American people and US allies to support the initiative.

They demanded the White House make clear when and how to remove Saddam from power.

Testifying at Wednesday's hearing, former UN weapon inspector Richard Butler said Iraq's weapons program was an active threat but the international community should give Saddam Hussein another chance to let inspectors in "before taking other measures."

Admitting there is no evidence that Saddam had been involved in the September 11 terror attacks, he defended the current policy of containment against the Iraqi regime.

Bush's officials declined to take part in the hearings, but White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush remained committed to "regime change" in Iraq, either through political, financial, diplomatic or military means.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stressed to reporters on Wednesday that "the president has not made any decisions with respect to military activity relating to Iraq or anywhere else."

Meanwhile, US closest allies are urging President George W. Bush not to make a cursory military action against Iraq.

French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told a joint news conference Tuesday that their countries could not support a US assault on Iraq.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair also faces a revolt in his own Labor Party against the idea of military action involving British troops. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, whose country would be a vital base for any US strike on Iraq, also said Wednesday he was trying to dissuade Washington from a military operation.

At the same time, Bagdad has said it is prepared to launch a popular mobilization campaign against the US and it can thwart any outer attack.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2002)