They have just sent a letter to Annan saying they will allow UN inspectors into their territory. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...514&e=1&u=/ap/20020916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/un_iraq
ahhh saddam wised up... he knew his time was going to be up. especially when the saudi's gave approval to use their bases if the attack was sanctioned by the un with a resolution, he really knew it would have been over. now it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get inspectors in to the country and then to see how long it takes before saddam starts telling inspectors where and where they cannot go...then the war talk will begin all over again.
...and the White House doesn't care. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26225-2002Sep16.html
Ok, I am very cynical if Iraq will actually allow this to happen. However, say that they follow the inspections to a tee and Bush still says that is not enough? The US sounds line the Nazis when they were demanding the Sudetenland. Still, because the Bush administration has such contempt for the world community, he will find a way to attack Iraq. Heil Bush!
We've heard this act before. Iraq agrees publicly to unconditional inspections and then only allows inspectors limited access. Iraq is simply trying to buy time. They will never allow full access because they can't.
DAMN!!! Well, I guess it's onto plan B. Iraq is haboring terrorists, and is thus a threat to the United States and the rest of the world.
Everyone is playing a chess game. This was actually a good move by Saddam. It was his biggest chip, and he kept it until it would do the most good. It is no accident that the White House said that inspections would not be good enough a week ago. It is no accident that the nations Iraq has been talking to have come around to our position, as long as there is international agreement, a house of cards that was built to be knocked down by the recent Iraqi letter. The game isn't over yet. It is important for the US to invade, so it may happen no matter what the UN or our allies think. But given Bush the Younger's failure in Alaska drilling and the Venezuela coup leads me to think that this will probably fade away as well - even though a virtual solution might make American citizens think there was a victory.
Keep in mind, it's not simply inspections we're after - we've made it clear that disarmament must accompany inspection. This is simply a time buy for Saddam.
This has to be a first, I agree with TWUB. Welcome to the chess match of international affairs. Bush made the first speech and put pressure on Saddam. Saddam, trying to deflect pressure, opens up to full inspectors BEFORE another Security Council resolution is passed. This is an attempt to limit French and Russian support of a resolution. The Bush administration must keep up the pressure for passing a resolution that formalizes the demands on Iraq--language stating that Iraq is in material breach of UN resolutions if it does not allow unfettered access and disarm. I think Bush is overdoing the skepticism a bit (I agree with him that Saddam isn't likely to fully comply, but he needs to appear open to a solution other than war if Iraq behaves responsibly re: WMDs). This is simply the next step in the process, the US took control of this issue in Bush's speech, it needs to maintain control by properly responding to Iraq's offer.
Re: Re: Iraq attempts to derail Bush plans I believe I have found the lost treasure of the dumbest post in Big Soccer history!
Gaining international support for any invasion just got a bit tougher. Not a lot tougher, but a bit. It's not a bad thing if this slows the US down for a couple of months. Iraq is not going to attack US interests any time soon anyway, and the whole thing will be less likely to be used politically. Let's see what the mood is in January once the midterm elections are over and Congresspeople aren't falling all over themselves to show the world just how patriotic they are.
Agreed. This gives the wafflers a chance to waffle. I'm not convinced its a good thing if it slows the US down. We need to get hard-line, uncompromising inspectors on the ground as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I heard Kofi Annan speak about setting up the parameters of readmitting the weapons inspectors, which I fear means a significant delay. If there's one thing the UN is good, its dithering. Interesting point. Iraq's move has unwittingly helped Democrats in the midterm election who wanted to suspend any vote on Iraq until after the election.
They should update it, a few countries accepted the invitation. I heard Italy is bringing the Jello Shots!
Unwittingly? I think Saddam Hussein would prefer a Democratic legislature and a Republican executive, his personal animus to the Bush family notwithstanding.
I'm pretty sure Saddam's a little more focused on staying in power than he is on trying to manipulate Congressional elections in the US
Are you trying to tell me that Democrats would hinge their vote on sending American boys into harm's way based on whether or not they are up for election? I just cannot fathom the Democrats being so selfish and partisan and indifferent to the plight of our nation's youth. < /sarcasm>
Huh?? If we attack him, and kill him then he's no longer in power, no? So I'm pretty sure he's interested in US politics.