UN Inspectors: Iraq neglecting promises.

[GePap]

I think the Al Samud 2 missile will be huge test: the inspectors will (or already have) called for Iraq destroy them since they can go like 110 miles instead of the limit of 93 (nto that they can hit anyting extra, but hey). IF (an incredibly unlikely) Saddam does begin to destroy them, this would be the biggest slap to Bush in saying that Inpections lead nowhere. If, as is mroe liekly, Iraq does not do it, then perhaps this war will get ON ALREADY!

[Urban Ranger]

Re: UN Inspectors: Iraq neglecting promises.

Originally posted by Oerdin
U.N. Inspectors: Iraq Neglecting Promises
Seemingly emboldened by anti-war sentiment at the United Nations and in world capitals, Iraq's government is not following through on promises of increased cooperation with U.N. weapons inspectors.

As for myself, I'll wait for the weapons inspectors next report.

[OmniDude]

Originally posted by GePap
I think the Al Samud 2 missile will be huge test: the inspectors will (or already have) called for Iraq destroy them since they can go like 110 miles instead of the limit of 93 (nto that they can hit anyting extra, but hey). IF (an incredibly unlikely) Saddam does begin to destroy them, this would be the biggest slap to Bush in saying that Inpections lead nowhere. If, as is mroe liekly, Iraq does not do it, then perhaps this war will get ON ALREADY!

Hmm, have to disagree on your assessment here. Since he's called to destroy the missiles, ramps and fuel installations, but not the factories producing them, I think that Saddam and his advisors will come to the conclusion that the smart move will be to abide. Saddam knows that Blix is about the only thing keeping Bush out of his hair and as you noted, it will be an embarrassment to the Bush hawks if he plays nice on this one. Remember time is on his side, and Blix appears to be pretty resistent to US pressure to "get the show on the road". The longer he can postpone the invasion - cause that's evidently all he can hope for given the determination of the Bush administration - the harder it will be for the US forces because he'll have more prep time and they'll suffer in the desert heat.

On a different note, I hope that Franks will have the wisdom not to march directly into Baghdad. Occupy the rest of the country, take the time needed to avoid rushing into mine traps, bring a ****load of emergency supplies for the population and then besiege Baghdad. Urban fighting will be a PR disaster, no matter the media control, because we can trust on Saddam to pull every dirty trick in the book involving civilians(and probably a few new ones).

[Edan]

U2's have lots of loiter time, and go when and where they please.

As long as they get permission from Iraq.

[Dinner]

The Iraqis are contesting the order to destroy the missiles. They are claiming they can only fly 150km (the limit the UN allows for light missiles) but the UN is claiming they are capable of exceding the limit in their current form and can be easily modified to increase the distance still more.

[chequita guevara]

Iraq claims that yes, they can fly more than 150km as they currently are, which is sans warheads. They claim that with warheads loaded, the extra weight brings it down to 150km. It's a reasonable claim, but it should be tested.