Washington signals it will not press for resolution

The United States sent a strong signal yesterday that it will ultimately not press for a second United Nations resolution, in effect clearing the decks for military action against Iraq next week.

Ari Fleischer, Mr Bush's spokesman, confirmed that Washington would allow negotiations over Britain's proposed amended text to proceed over the weekend. But he also indicated that the President – who made another set of phone calls to world leaders yesterday – might reverse his promise of only last week, that "no matter what the whip count" the US would force the issue to a vote.

Mr Bush "has always decided that the US didn't need a second resolution to act", Mr Fleischer said. Almost simultaneously Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, told a Senate committee that "all options are open" and that one was not to have a vote. He also indicated his doubts on the flexibility being shown by Britain.

The new suggestions were "a way to see if more nations can find a way forward", General Powell said. Diplomats say the apparent new strategy has several advantages. It would avoid the spectacle of America acting in defiance of a new resolution. By allowing extra days of negotiation, Washington would be seen, in Mr Fleischer's words yesterday, as "going the extra mile for diplomacy". Third, by avoiding a vote, Mr Bush would be able to move to war quickly.

Were the resolution to be pulled on Monday, Mr Bush could issue a final ultimatum that would also be a last warning for non-Iraqis to leave the country. Military action could begin within 48 hours.