This Just In: Iraq Concedes to Inspections...

[C0ckney]

i think saddam has pulled a bit of a flanker here, it's a good delaying tactic and will make UN approval for an attack much more difficult to get..

[Chris 62]

Same old, same old from most here...

This is a MAJOR victory for Bush, he made the UN actually back up a resolution, something NOBODY has been able to do in years.

Now, if Iraq tries ANY kind of obstruction, he can move quickly, because Iraq will have renegged AGAIN.

This could not have worked out better for Bush.

[MarkG]

Now, if Iraq tries ANY kind of obstruction, he can move quickly

chris, you seem to ignore the fact that bush is ignoring the iraqi statement and wants to move ahead anyway....

[SpencerH]

There's no statement by the administration saying they're going ahead with any attack. They've just said that Iraqs ploy is merely delaying tactic (and thats not good enough).

[Pekka]

A brilliant move by Saddam. As I earlier predicted he will let them in (though I predicted lots of other solutions as well ), stalling the attack and making it very difficult for the US to build up coalition.

But. There's another side, it can blow up his face. If he lets inspectors now, with full access to what they want and find something, it's war with new allies. There is no way he can avoid the war if they find something. Or if they restrict their inspections. Maybe he's using stall tactics and trusting his luck that nothing is to be found.
Big risks, brilliant play!

Bush would be brilliant if he just smiled and played the game. It's all about the game and how you play it (Triple-H rules). He should call the bluff (if there is any that is). He could make a statement that OK, we'll give you a chance, but this is your last one and if something goes wrong, you are facing attack in the same day. If there are WoMD to be found, it justifies the removal of Saddam completely. If not.. it gets more tricky. But if Bush calls the bluff, he gets coalition. If not, well, it's going to cost a lot since there are only few sharing the costs.

[Pekka]

Iraq has also invited lots of young politicians there, at least from Finland. That could mean he's gonna let the inspectors in too, and if kaka hits the fan, he has lots of nice hostages.
I hope no one goes until the sky is clear. If someone goes now, they have a death wish.

[MarkG]

ok, so given the latest Bush statement, when the rest of the security council will say "they might mean it, lets send the inspectors", what will be the bush position? "ok, you send the inspectors, meanwhile i'll start bombing"?

[Andrew1999]

Should be interesting in the State Department legal office today. They have to write a resolution that is impossible for Iraq to comply with but not so bald-faced that it's rejected by the UN.

flashback to Austria/Serbia, 1914

[walruskkkch]

It appears that Iraq has set the condition that the inspections only apply to military bases. So much for the offer.

[Ming]

Originally posted by walruskkkch
It appears that Iraq has set the condition that the inspections only apply to military bases. So much for the offer.

Typical... Doesn't that just kind of scream out that there are places he doesn't want inspectors to see.

For a minute there, I actually thought he was pulling a good move. What a moron...

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Pekka
It's all about the game and how you play it

Wrong! It's all about control and who can take it.

[walruskkkch]

He designated some 40% of his military bases as "Presidential Palaces" so limiting it so makes the inspectors useless. ALso they will never be able to see the labs in all those "Civilian" buildings.

[ZoboZeWarrior]

Maybe Saddam is preparing a devil trick : Inspectors could become Saddam hostage ...

[Chris 62]

Looks like I was correct Mark.

I knew Saddam would attempt to put conditions on it, same old, same old, and since ol Koffi fell over himself thanking Bush, he's going to look awful stupid if he backs out now!

[walruskkkch]

Why did anyone expect any less from Saddam?