Then Iraq seemed to eave in. In a message to the United Nations, Baghdad admitted that Iraq still has far more weapons than previously acknowledged. It promised to junk its remaining missiles and pledged full disclosure of its ongoing nuclear-, chemical- and biological-warfare programs next month. Rolf Ekeus, head of the U.N. commission in charge of defanging Saddam, said an inspection team would arrive in Baghdad this week to begin monitoring the destruction of Scud missiles and other weapons systems and plants. He said he now took Iraq’s professions of “good will” more seriously and added: “It’s the first time since I took this job [a year ago] that I am able to provide good news.”
But how good? Even Ekeus hedged, confessing only to “a certain optimism” that a deal on full Iraqi compliance was in the offing. American officials were even more cautious. One senior Bush aide said that the White House doesn’t really expect full compliance this time but simply more “half steps.” A top State Department source said Iraq’s concessions still offer considerable grounds for skepticism. And Iraq apparently still wants to keep some weapons plants by claiming that they have civilian uses. Still to be discussed was the future of an entire nuclear-weapons facility. Baghdad was silent on whether it will comply with U.N. resolutions that require Iraq to sell some oil for food under U.N. supervision. It all may be yet another effort by Saddam to get sanctions lifted without paying the full price that the United Nations demands. If so, candidate George Bush will be only too ready and willing to turn up the heat.
title: “A New Warning For Saddam” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-10” author: “Terrence Lindsay”
Then Iraq seemed to eave in. In a message to the United Nations, Baghdad admitted that Iraq still has far more weapons than previously acknowledged. It promised to junk its remaining missiles and pledged full disclosure of its ongoing nuclear-, chemical- and biological-warfare programs next month. Rolf Ekeus, head of the U.N. commission in charge of defanging Saddam, said an inspection team would arrive in Baghdad this week to begin monitoring the destruction of Scud missiles and other weapons systems and plants. He said he now took Iraq’s professions of “good will” more seriously and added: “It’s the first time since I took this job [a year ago] that I am able to provide good news.”
But how good? Even Ekeus hedged, confessing only to “a certain optimism” that a deal on full Iraqi compliance was in the offing. American officials were even more cautious. One senior Bush aide said that the White House doesn’t really expect full compliance this time but simply more “half steps.” A top State Department source said Iraq’s concessions still offer considerable grounds for skepticism. And Iraq apparently still wants to keep some weapons plants by claiming that they have civilian uses. Still to be discussed was the future of an entire nuclear-weapons facility. Baghdad was silent on whether it will comply with U.N. resolutions that require Iraq to sell some oil for food under U.N. supervision. It all may be yet another effort by Saddam to get sanctions lifted without paying the full price that the United Nations demands. If so, candidate George Bush will be only too ready and willing to turn up the heat.
