Excerpts from previous political updates, 2-14-03

Excerpts from previous political updates, by subject:

2-14-03

Inspection reports and U.N. policy

On February 14, the chief U.N. weapon inspectors provided the U.N. Security Council with yet another update on inspection activities in Iraq. Chief inspector Hans Blix gave a mixed report, criticizing Iraq for efforts to develop proscribed missiles, but also welcoming a seemingly more "active" Iraqi approach to cooperation with the United Nations. In speeches immediately following the inspectors' presentations, a number of Council members made it clear that their countries' views had not changed.

The next diplomatic steps are likely to be more controversial. The United States and Britain are considering whether to submit a resolution to the Security Council that could declare Iraq in "material breach" of its obligations, and perhaps even demand that serious consequences ensue. The United States has also made it clear that it will decide whether to intervene militarily following the reports. And Blix has a tough conversation ahead with the Iraqis, when he must inform them of the steps he plans to take with respect to their proscribed Al Samoud missile system, 380 illicitly imported rocket motors, and forbidden casting chambers for making rocket motors.

During the days prior to the reports, the United States toughened its rhetoric, and European opposition to military action stiffened. Declaring that "nothing today justifies war," French president Jacques Chirac, together with Germany and Russia, considered putting forward a proposal for extending and enlarging the U.N. inspections. The United States and Britain dismissed the proposal, and even chief inspector Hans Blix added that "the principal problem is not the number of inspectors but rather the active cooperation of the Iraqi side."

The disagreement immediately spilled over into NATO. On February 10, France, Germany and Belgium blocked a U.S. request to move AWACS aircraft, Patriot anti-missile systems, and counter-CBW (chemical biological warfare) units to Turkey to protect that country against possible attacks by Iraq. In response, Turkey made a formal request for protection under NATO procedures. The Bush administration warned that the split in NATO would "affect the alliance in a negative way," and that NATO would be circumvented, if necessary, to get the equipment to Turkey.

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Search WMD profiles Iraqi entities of concern Iraq's suppliers UN documents Government documents Controlled items Perspectives	Excerpts from previous political updates, by subject: 2-14-03 Inspection reports and U.N. policy On February 14, the chief U.N. weapon inspectors provided the U.N. Security Council with yet another update on inspection activities in Iraq. Chief inspector Hans Blix gave a mixed report, criticizing Iraq for efforts to develop proscribed missiles, but also welcoming a seemingly more "active" Iraqi approach to cooperation with the United Nations. In speeches immediately following the inspectors' presentations, a number of Council members made it clear that their countries' views had not changed. The next diplomatic steps are likely to be more controversial. The United States and Britain are considering whether to submit a resolution to the Security Council that could declare Iraq in "material breach" of its obligations, and perhaps even demand that serious consequences ensue. The United States has also made it clear that it will decide whether to intervene militarily following the reports. And Blix has a tough conversation ahead with the Iraqis, when he must inform them of the steps he plans to take with respect to their proscribed Al Samoud missile system, 380 illicitly imported rocket motors, and forbidden casting chambers for making rocket motors. During the days prior to the reports, the United States toughened its rhetoric, and European opposition to military action stiffened. Declaring that "nothing today justifies war," French president Jacques Chirac, together with Germany and Russia, considered putting forward a proposal for extending and enlarging the U.N. inspections. The United States and Britain dismissed the proposal, and even chief inspector Hans Blix added that "the principal problem is not the number of inspectors but rather the active cooperation of the Iraqi side." The disagreement immediately spilled over into NATO. On February 10, France, Germany and Belgium blocked a U.S. request to move AWACS aircraft, Patriot anti-missile systems, and counter-CBW (chemical biological warfare) units to Turkey to protect that country against possible attacks by Iraq. In response, Turkey made a formal request for protection under NATO procedures. The Bush administration warned that the split in NATO would "affect the alliance in a negative way," and that NATO would be circumvented, if necessary, to get the equipment to Turkey.