This debacle began as an effort by Saddam to dictate U.N. policy. By forcing the American inspectors off the U.N. inspection team, Saddam tried to hand pick who could inspect his country's weaponry. This constitutes a clear violation of the sanctions that placed Iraq under strict surveillance after the Gulf War. Saddam claims that five years after the war, these sanctions are obsolete. But if there is nothing to hide, there should be nothing to fear. Secretary of U.S. Defense William Cohen has mentioned intelligence reports of biological weaponry within Iraq. Therefore, every day inspectors are prevented from completing their job, Saddam has the option to develop or move more illegal weaponry. Consequently, the threat is immediate and American officials have intervened.
By expelling the American members from the U.N. team, Saddam threatened the United States' credibility as an international actor. Time and again, Saddam has implied that America uses the cover of the United Nations to promote its own agenda. He specifically mentioned U2 flights - American planes piloted by members of the U.S. Armed Forces but used solely for the United Nations. Saddam threatened to shoot these planes down, which would likely elicit an American response. But Saddam is confronting the United Nations' sanctions. Therefore, the entire international community needs to agree before any sort of U.S. retaliation.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been touring the Middle East to solicit support for the U.S. stance, but as of yet, little support has been forthcoming. In fact, only Britain has expressed support of the possible U.N. action. Russia has outlined a plan of compromise between the United States and Iraq that includes relaxed sanctions toward Iraq in exchange for the readmittance of the American inspectors. A week ago yesterday, the American delegation to the Geneva Conference stated that Iraq must permit inspections without any strings attached. Yesterday, Saddam announced he would allow Americans to perform weapon inspections, but whether he will follow through on hispromise has yet to be seen. The United Nations should exercise great care when considering decreasing sanctions against Iraq.
This situation, while ambiguous and complex, must be simplified. Saddam broke international sanctions placed upon his country by the United Nations. It is therefore the responsibility of this same international community to retaliate against Iraq. The United States, even though explicitly threatened, needs to solve this diplomatically and pursue the best option for the entire world. A strike on Iraq without allied support could portray Saddam as a martyr while an American withdrawal would portray Saddam as the winner in this showdown. While U.S. credibility is at stake, the safety of the international community must be placed first. This situation calls for quick resolution but thoughtful action.