U.S. Maintains War Footing Despite Allies' Reservations (washingtonpost.com)

"People who are saying that the 27th is not an important day don't know what they are talking about," [a senior administration official] said . "It is a very important day" marking "the beginning of a final phase" that the administration sees as quickly leading to decisive action.

Several U.S. officials said that although the administration believes that the kind of council unity that led to November's 15 to 0 approval of the Iraq resolution was desirable, it was not essential.