In the Press This Week: The 11^th Hour

(March 1 2003 – March 8 2003)

“The French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, scornfully rejected the new resolution. ‘By imposing a deadline of only a few days, would we merely be seeking a pretext for war?' he asked. ‘As a permanent member of the Security Council, I will say it again: France will not allow a resolution to pass that authorizes the automatic use of force.' The Russian and Chinese foreign ministers followed suit.”

U.N. Split Widens as Allies Dismiss Deadline on Iraq

From The Independent

“The amended draft resolution concludes that Iraq will have ‘failed' to take the final opportunity to disarm, unless ‘on or before 17 March 2003, the Council concludes that Iraq has demonstrated “full, unconditional, immediate and active co-operation with its disarmament obligations”.' The implication of failure is that swift military punishment will follow.

“President George Bush pre-empted the Blix report by warning in a White House news conference on Thursday night that he intended pushing on to war even if the resolution was defeated…

“If the UN rejects the resolution next week, military action could begin even earlier, possibly within 48 hours, giving time for evacuations.”

On the brink of war: UK gives Saddam 10-day deadline to avoid conflict

From The Guardian

“The chief weapons inspector rendered a relatively upbeat assessment, offering only mild criticisms of Iraq. He repeatedly suggested that there were constructive ways forward to resolve outstanding disarmament issues, in particular by focusing on ‘clusters' of remaining tasks…

“Mr Blix concluded that inspections should continue for a few more months. His considered message was that there was every reason to hope they will ultimately succeed.

“For the Bush administration, however, it is clear that what Mr Blix has to say carries less and less weight. His reasoned, fact-based approach was not reciprocated in Colin Powell's response. The US secretary of state was at pains to pick holes, emphasising the negative, decrying Iraq's ‘grudging' behaviour and repeating earlier claims of Iraqi cheating. Ignoring evidence of present-day compliance, he again resorted to the history of past Iraqi non-cooperation. Mr Powell is entitled to feel dissatisfied about Iraqi foot-dragging and time-wasting. It is certainly true that Iraq can and should do more, faster. But Mr Powell, if he were as objective as Mr Blix and not politically committed to war, would surely also admit that this report, like its predecessors, provides no basis or justification for a resort to military force at this time.”

The disarming Mr Blix

From The Washington Post

“During the public and sometimes emotional clash of Security Council members today, a number of smaller, undecided nations that the administration had wooed made it clear they were uncomfortable with the U.S. approach and pleaded for the council to unite around a broad plan that would set a series of deadlines. On the 15-member council, only Bulgaria signaled support for a new resolution, while eight nations, including Pakistan, Angola and Chile, appeared to be against it.

“President Bush insisted Thursday that the United States would call for a vote, and U.S. officials yesterday pressed for it as early as Tuesday. Nine votes -- and no vetoes -- are necessary for passage. It is highly unusual for members to seek a vote for a Security Council resolution that appears doomed to fail, and it was clear the looming showdown concerned many of the foreign ministers attending today's session. Several suggested the rift could irrevocably damage the international body.”

Blix's Iraq Report Deepens U.N. Rift