steissd wrote:Those who do not want to be convinced, will not be convinced by anything: even if the CIA manages to capture the Iraqi WMD lab together with its personnel and bring it to the session of the Security Council.
On my way back from a meeting I listened to the statements of the Foreign ministers of the UK, Cameroon, Russia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Mexico, and France that followed Powell's presentations. I believe they fully confirm the truth of Stessid's observations above.
Basically the US and the UK are saying, 'we have conclusive proof of systematic and continuing Iraqi attempts to conceal the biological and chemical weapons inventory and manufacturing capability they now have and the uranium enrichment program they are trying to develop. We conclude therefore that inspections cannot produce the required disarmament of Iraq.' Our opponents are saying that, ' these facts are troubling and should be investigated. A peaceful solution is paramount and the inspections should continue.' There is no possible reconciliation of these viewpoints.
It was interesting to note that Bulgaria's statement supported the US view directly (new Europe), Pakistan and Mexico were carefully ambiguous, but more or less with us, Cameroon utterly ambiguous, and France & Russia quite unreconcilable.
Which of these nations has large in place contracts with the present Iraqi government for the development of her oil fields?
c.i.
