It appears to be him, and not a double, officials said after an initial review of the tape. A voice analysis was underway at U.S. intelligence agencies. 

There was nothing in the tape that specifically referred to the strike, or other events, that would confirm that it was made after the strike. Even Saddam's reading of the date could have been pre-recorded, officials said. 

However, that Saddam read the speech from a steno pad indicated a fairly impromptu production, suggesting it was in fact given after the strike, officials said. 

President Bush met with his war council early Thursday, including CIA Director George Tenet, who was expected to brief the president on results on the strike against Iraqi leaders. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Tenet had told Bush that U.S. intelligence had a probable fix on the residence where Saddam and other Iraqi leaders would be sleeping in the early morning hours in Baghdad, U.S. officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Bush then authorized the strike. 

Those other Iraqi leaders were believed to include Saddam's two sons, Qusai and Odai. Officials said it was unclear Thursday whether any of the three were near the target, or had been killed. Both sons hold high-level security positions in Saddam's regime. 

U.S. officials provided no details of how the intelligence was developed that made them believe they knew where Saddam was. 

Two other U.S. officials, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said Thursday that the strikes were a small prelude to a massive assault that was to begin as early as Thursday. With 300,000 U.S. troops still encircling Iraq, the president said the mission to disarm Saddam had just begun. 

"I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory," the president said in brief, nationally televised remarks from the Oval Office. 

His address Wednesday evening made official in Washington what was already apparent. As Bush's press secretary gave a half-hour's notice for the president's appearance, anti-aircraft fire, explosions and air raid sirens were reported in Baghdad as Thursday's dawn broke over the city. 

"The dangers to our country and the world will be overcome," Bush said. 

The White House was expected to send a special spending bill to Congress soon, asking lawmakers to provide money to pay for the military action and the post-Saddam reconstruction of Iraq. The White House has said the request would be made to lawmakers shortly after the start of hostilities. 

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., praised Bush for undertaking a "risky venture" Wednesday night. The targeted strikes were designed to "try to have a shorter war," McCain said during a CNBC interview. 

"I think the motivation for this action was clearly to try to avoid as many innocents being killed or injured as possible," he said. 

Bush was likely to remain at the White House under extraordinary security in the opening phases of the war. Pedestrians without official business are being kept further away from the executive mansion than usual. 

The president's only publicly announced plans for Thursday called for an early evening photo session with the president of Cameroon. 

In his four-minute speech to the nation, Bush said his goal is "to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger." 

Bush asked for American patience if the days turn into weeks or longer. 

"A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict," Bush said.