No duplicity or inconsistency is shown there at all - quite the opposite, in fact. Should a nation seeking to redress the actions of another nation intend to make credible threat of military intervention as means of redress in the event of continued intransigence on the part of a second nation, it is reasonable and prudent that the nation pressing its demands on pain of militaqry intervention should take such steps, from planning all the way through to pre-positioning all assets as would be required to effect that military intervention on a moment's notice - otherwise, the announcement of intention rings as hollow as a UN resolution.
What is clear is that Saddam is the individual who chose war; Bush wasn't bluffing. The
March 18th Ultimatum unambiguously reitterated the requirements Saddam had to meet to avoid military intervention. Saddam made his choice, Bush kept his word.