Prolonged debate in the U.N. Security Council could spare President Bush from announcing a decision on whether to go to war with Iraq, with its potentially painful political consequences, until after next Tuesday's elections. Administration officials are claiming progress in the council's informal deliberations on a tough U.S.-British resolution that would threaten Iraq with "serious consequences" unless it disarms.

The U.S. hand was strengthened Monday when the chief weapons inspectors, Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei, endorsed the view that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein should be warned.

But France, Russia and China still want the Security Council to give Iraq a chance to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors with consideration of military action shelved until later.

Bush, who has declared action on the resolution a test of the relevance of the United Nations , said Monday that Saddam "has made the United Nations look foolish."

With the stakes high for the president both on the international front and in next week's congressional elections, administration officials said continued impasse could mean pushing the vote back until next week, which simultaneously would avert a pre-election showdown.

Holding out hope for an agreement, Bush and his advisers tried to sway the Security Council by declaring the United States would confront Iraq regardless of the council's decision.

Richard Boucher, the State Department spokesman, said the issue was to disarm Iraq and end its programs for developing weapons of mass destruction.

"One way or another we have to deal with this," Boucher said. "We have made clear repeatedly if the council doesn't deal with it, that we need to deal with those dangers one way or the other."

Bush, during a political swing in the Western United States, confronted the United Nations even more directly.

"If the United Nations doesn't have the will or the courage to disarm Saddam Hussein, and if Saddam Hussein will not disarm; for the sake of peace, for the sake of freedom, the United States will lead a coalition to disarm Saddam Hussein," he said.

The White House has said it wanted a Security Council vote by the end of the week on the U.S.-British draft resolution, which would impose tougher inspection rules on Iraq and threaten consequences for further defiance.

France, China or Russia could block the United States and Britain with a veto, and all are unconvinced of the wisdom of the U.S. position.

More than six weeks of negotiations have been inconclusive. And if the Bush administration concludes it could not win in the council, it could decide not to bring the resolution to a vote and prolong the informal debate.

For Bush, that could carry a political dividend of not having to announce his decision on going to war until after the elections.

Otherwise, voters opposed to war with Iraq might turn against Republican candidates. Support in Congress for bypassing the United Nations and going it alone against Iraq is much stronger among Republicans than Democrats.

Still, White House officials said Bush was prepared for the worst at the United Nations and would build a coalition quickly outside the international body if necessary.

Boucher said progress is being made. "We think we've narrowed down the differences to a few key issues," he said.

Bush has not identified the nations that would join an ad hoc coalition if the United Nations should fail to act. Britain likely would be the key partner. A few other nations, including Poland and Australia, have pledged support.

Before returning to Washington, the president made political stops Monday night in New Mexico and Colorado to campaign for Republican candidates eight days before the Nov. 5 election. He sharpened his rhetoric on Saddam.

"There is a real and dangerous threat to America in Iraq, in the form of Saddam Hussein," he said at a political rally in Alamogordo, N.M.

"This is a man who told the world that he wouldn't have weapons of mass destruction. He's got weapons of mass destruction. This is a man who has used weapons of mass destruction," Bush said. "He's used them against his neighbors.

He's used them against his own people. This is a person who can't stand America. This is a man who's had contact with al-Qaida. This is a man who has defied international bodies. This is a person who has made the United Nations look foolish."

PHOTO CAPTION

President Bush greets supporters during a GOP campaign rally at the Riner Steinhoff Soccer Complex in Alamogordo, N.M., Monday, Oct. 28, 2002. Bush is there to lend his support to Republican candidates including Congressional hopeful Steve Pearce. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)