The Germans continue to maintain an anti-war policy, which is pretty impressive given their history, however both the Germans and French don’t seem to remember the active roll played by the United states in freeing Europe of communism. The German government to live in the knowledge that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, and simply hope that he doesn’t use them than support a war on terror. This seems a little naive given that a number of Bin ladens associates, involved in the September 11th attacks on the United States can be traced to an active Al Quieda terrorist cell in Berlin.
However as the EU Moves further east this makes it increasingly difficult for a large country such as France to exert its power. We have also seen the emergence of New and Old Europe, the latter being called the Vilnius Ten including Romania and former countries of Yugoslavia. However these splits and the lack of support from such nations of France and Germany, heavily weaken the significance of the UN and the pressure on Saddam Hussein to comply with UN resolution 1441 and disarm. This only increases the likeliness of war. Condoleeza Rice, The United states national security advisor said the world needed to “pull itself back together”. “It’s time for this to end” After all Saddam has been playing these games for more than 12 years now.
The UN Security Council resolution 687 of April 1991 set out the cease-fire terms for ending the gulf war. Iraq has still failed to comply with the following:
A: Accept the destruction, removal or rendering harmless of its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and ballistic missiles with a range of over 150 kilometres; and also and any research, development and manufacturing facilities associated with the above.
B: Undertake not to develop such weapons in the future.
The UN also demanded that Iraq give its full co-operation, including unrestricted access to any site they wish to inspect.
Iraq has continually failed to live up to its promises, producing highly inaccurate documents on chemical and biological weapons in 1996.5 years after it was asked to do so. Several resolutions later and Saddam produces the same lies and deception in answering resolution 1441, drew up in November of last year.
The convincing evidence that Iraq still hold weapons of mass destruction and their efforts to conceal them was clearly laid out by Colin Powell 3 weeks ago. The defence secretary spoke for more than and hour on evidence of Iraqi intentions not to disarm. The evidence included tape recordings of conversations between Iraqi generals, discussing the evasion of the weapons inspectors and before and after satellite photos of weapons facilities, which show that they Iraqi’s cleared them prior to the arrival of the weapons inspectors. Secretary Powell also explained how evidence suggested that the Iraqi’s have designed mobile weapons facilities, which are concealed within ordinary looking lorries and can be easily moved around the country and escape detection. Someone from within his own ranks also supports Saddam’s deception.
Sharistani, a former chief scientific advisor to the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, spoke during a briefing organised by an association of foreign journalists in the Philippines. “ These materials are hidden deep underground or in a tunnel system”
He described how he was jailed for 11 years by Saddam’s regime for refusing to develop banned weapons; he escaped from Iraq and now lives in London.
Sharistani said that his information was divulged from his colleagues who had also recently fled the country. “My understanding is that the nuclear programme has been dismantled,” he said. However the programme to produce chemical and biological weapons continued even during the years that the inspectors were in Iraq in the 1990s.” He also claimed that Saddam panned would use Baghdad’s 4 million residents as human shields in the event of a US led attack. “There has been a discussion within his circle to set up what they call a chemical belt around Baghdad using his chemical weapons to entrap the residents of Baghdad inside,” he said.
He also said the reports that Saddam had several look-alikes to confuse potential assassins were “absolutely true”
It is extremely important that we remember what the Bush-Blair led policy on Iraq is trying to achieve rather than shying away against the need for action. Saddam Hussein has used chemical weapons in the torturing of not just neighbouring states of Iran and Kuwait but his own people. 95% of the Iraqi population are waiting to be liberated from Saddam Hussein’s Regime. Iraqi’s have been dying everyday for the last 30 years at the hands of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi’s also suffer under a poor health service, water and sewer systems, which has led to a spread of Polio.
The attacks of September 11th on the US served as a chilling reminder that we are not kept safe just by the presence of oceans. The world must act now and act strongly by showing zero to the emergence of rebel states and terrorist cells, which have wormed their way into Europe and the US. For our Liberty and the freedom of the Iraqi people.
Word Count:1275
