This Just In: Iraq Concedes to Inspections...

Timexwatch · September 16, 2002, 18:58

I just pulled this off the Washington Post

Here's the text:

Quote:

Iraq to Accept Weapons Inspectors

By Dafna Linzer
Associated Press Writer
Monday, September 16, 2002; 6:55 PM

UNITED NATIONS –– Iraq unconditionally accepted the return of U.N. weapons inspectors late Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said.

"I can confirm to you that I have received a letter from the Iraqi authorities conveying its decision to allow the return of inspectors without conditions to continue their work."

"There is good news," Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said moments earlier.

Sabri and Arab League chief Amr Moussa met late with Annan and transmitted a letter from the Iraqi government on the inspectors' return.

Under Security Council resolutions, sanctions imposed on Iraq after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait cannot be lifted until U.N. inspectors certify that its weapons of mass destruction have been destroyed. Inspectors left the country four years ago ahead of U.S. and British airstrikes to punish Iraq for not cooperating with inspections.

Since then, Iraq has refused to allow inspectors to return, and the stalemate had split the United States, Britain, Russian, France and China – the five powerful members of the U.N. Security Council.

The turnabout in Iraq, after four years of stalemate, came days after President Bush addressed the U.N. General Assembly debate and said that Iraq must comply with Security Council resolutions or face the consequences.

Annan credited Bush late Monday.

"I believe the president's speech galvanized the international community," Annan said.

There was no immediate response from the White House. Top Bush aides huddled after Annan's announcement, preparing a response.

Annan said the Arab league had played a key role in bringing about the Iraqi response.

Annan thanked the league's chief, Amr Moussa of Egypt, "for his strenouous efforts in helping to convince Iraq to allow the return of the inspectors."

© 2002 The Associated Press

To bomb, or not to bomb, that is the question...

Skanky Burns · September 16, 2002, 19:01

Ming · September 16, 2002, 19:13

A day late and a dollar short...

Just another stall tactic by the Iraq. If anybody really believes that Iraq will really unconditionally allow weapons inspectors to go where ever they want to, and to show them everything they want to see...

I have some land in Florida I want to sell you...

(this is the same promise they made after they lost the war... and we know how well they kept their word then)

red_jon · September 16, 2002, 19:14

Ooh, this can't be good for Bush n' Blair.

Maybe they can bomb Japan instead...

red_jon · September 16, 2002, 19:15

Ming- why do Iraq want to stall? Aren't they just delaying the inevitable?

Asher · September 16, 2002, 19:17

Buildup of munitions? Training of soldiers?

red_jon · September 16, 2002, 19:18

Ah.

Skanky Burns · September 16, 2002, 19:18

Quote:

Originally posted by red_jon
Ming- why do Iraq want to stall? Aren't they just delaying the inevitable?

When would you prefer to be executed, now or a week from now?

Ming · September 16, 2002, 19:20

Quote:

Originally posted by red_jon
Ming- why do Iraq want to stall? Aren't they just delaying the inevitable?

Nahhh... they figure by allowing it now, it will make it harder for Bush to get his allies together... and delay action by the US. When the inspectors show up, he will lead them on merry goose chase and eventually show them nothing and claim that he lived up to his end of the bargin (exactly like he did before)...

This is a purely political stunt, and has nothing to do with actually allowing the inspections. It buys him time to attempt to further disrupt any grand coalition.

And while I am laughing, if I were in his shoes, and facing down the barrel of a US invasion... I would do exactly what he is doing.

Capt Dizle · September 16, 2002, 19:23

If true, this is a master stroke for Saddam. Taken before the UN acts it will give him time to put off and then we will be back at square one.

Fitz · September 16, 2002, 19:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Ming
A day late and a dollar short...

Actually, it was flawless timing. This stops Bush in his warhawk tracks. He gambled on Saddam being stupid enough to keep resisting when he gave up the "go it along" strat and took it to the U.N.

Of course, Saddam isn't stupid (just a ruthless ass***, amongst other things), and this will stall an invasion, or failing that, cause the Arab world to flock to his "side" in the event of U.S. Forces actually landing on Iraqi soil.

Although that won't make a whit of difference to the end result, it'll just perpetuate the somewhat justified dislike of the U.S. in the remainder of the world.

Not particularly an unexpected result to me. As soon as I heard about Bush's U.N. speech, I knew this was coming.

SlowwHand · September 16, 2002, 19:36

Iraq has their dirty laundry tucked away, you can bet your bottom dollar.
That, and just another stall tactic, as Ming pointed out.

And it isn't 4 years, it's 10+ years.

Ming · September 16, 2002, 19:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Fitz
Actually, it was flawless timing.

And I agree...

My day late and a dollar short comment was implying that he should have done this A LONG TIME ago if he was really serious about it... but we know he's not.

A perfect stall tactic!

Lincoln · September 16, 2002, 19:41

Bush forced his hand pure and simple. He is a master stratagest. Now if Sadam plays games again then it will be bombs away...

Asher · September 16, 2002, 19:42

Bush is indeed a master of strategery.

Fitz · September 16, 2002, 19:42

My bad, I thought you were implying that it would have no effect at all.

Personally, I'm perfectly happy to see Bush delayed a bit. Now if only Saddam would take the next logical step and find a country to take asylum in (the only retirement for dictators other than death), we can get a bloodless "regime-change.

Too bad dreams and reality rarely collide.

Lincoln · September 16, 2002, 19:43

Now the world will love Bush for averting war...

Spiffor · September 16, 2002, 19:46

That's gret news for weapon business. Everyone will have more time to strengthen their armies, and thus to buy more weapons, until the ~~inevitable slaughter of innocent Iraqis~~ riddance of Saddam which will bring some collateral damage.

I bet more than 0.2% of this year's growth in the US will come from the delay (of course, if you prefer taxpayer's money going to schools or hospitals, you're screwed

Ming · September 16, 2002, 19:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Lincoln
Now the world will love Bush for averting war...

The world... love Bush....

Spiffor · September 16, 2002, 19:47

Except Lincoln, does anyone in America love Bush ? (no need to mention the world

)

Ming · September 16, 2002, 19:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
Except Lincoln, does anyone in America love Bush ? (no need to mention the world

)

Love...

Nahhhhh...
But I still prefer him over the alternative... Gore was even more of a Bozo...

red_jon · September 16, 2002, 19:52

I shall make an exellent Fuhr ... baaah, I mean President

SlowwHand · September 16, 2002, 19:55

So far, Bush hsan't had a chance to deal with anything but terrorist activity, and so far he's done just fine.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Thucydides · September 16, 2002, 19:56

I have to say that I'm rooting for Saddam to make the US and Britain appear like the bad guys. Maybe if there's enough public outcry will have to give up on this misadventure. Even with we succeed Bush won't be satisfied until we attack every country on his "axis of Evil" list. It's better if the US is stopped from preemptive unilateral attacks on countries now rather than later.

Capt Dizle · September 16, 2002, 19:58

Saddam is working on his nukes as we speak.

red_jon · September 16, 2002, 19:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Thucydides
I have to say that I'm rooting for Saddam to make the US and Britain appear like the bad guys.

That's not fair, we don't want it. It just seems that Mr. Blair has decided that democratic institutions are boring and has declared himself King.

Lincoln · September 16, 2002, 19:58

Oh sorry. I thought that the world would give Bush the credit for averting this war. I guess that he just can't do anything right. Funny that now that Sadam has agreed to the inspections it will only take one UN resolution to allow immediate enforcement when he renigs again. Then it will be a UN supported war with the support of some neighboring arab states as well. Bush is brilliant.

SlowwHand · September 16, 2002, 19:59

If Hussein can pull that off, he's got much more brain activity than I give him credit for, Thucydides.

Skanky Burns · September 16, 2002, 20:00

How much did you want to bet that the Inspectors will actually be allowed to find anything?

Spiffor · September 16, 2002, 20:00

Economical slowing ?
World pollution agreements ?
Bringing Russia into the West side ?
Watching China's rise ?
Intervening in Middle East crisis ? (ok, that' partly related to terrorism)
Strenthening economical and political bond with American neighbours ?
Cleaning the rotten parts of American economy (Enron) ?

Bush had a lot to do, and did some things fairly, some others badly. But saying he would just show his skill about terrorism is buying the lie spread by official propaganda : we shouldn't allow the slaughter of innocent American people (and its consequences) mask the rest of his work.