ON A HIDING TO NOTHING

It's a 'Mission Impossible' for the UN Weapons Inspections Teams. Why?

First of all, if they find nothing because there is nothing to find, then there will be a war because President Bush won't believe that Saddam Hussein is Persil clean.

Secondly, if they find nothing because Saddam Hussein has out-smarted them, then there'll be a war because President Bush believes there is something to hide.

Thirdly, if they do find weapons of mass destruction that Saddam has deliberately hidden, then there will be a war because President Bush will think that the Inspection Teams could probably have found more.

Then we have the Inspection Teams' Smear Campaign by one or two US Newspapers:

First Smear: One of the Inspection Team - a man appointed at the specific request of the State Department - is involved in pornography. He probably kept a copy of 'Playboy' under his pillow. But that is one accusation it is difficult to refute no matter how minor.

Second Smear: Another Team Member - again appointed at the specific request of the State Department - was previously fired from his job as head of a nuclear safety agency.

So why were these to men co-opted onto the Inspection Team? So that it could be later trashed?

Then there are accusations that Iraqi air defense firing on US and Brit war planes in the 'No-Fly Zones'. What has that got to do with the Weapons Inspectors?

President Bush says about the Inspection Teams progress: "So far, the signs are not encouraging". What exactly does he mean by that, I wonder? Will there be a war whatever the Inspectors find?

Are Iraq's neighbours prepared to support an American Military Campaign? There have been numerous warnings from Arab Leaders, "Don't go to war", repeated over and over again. The latest indication to President Bush that Saudi Arabia supports him is the advertisement in, I think, the NYT, refuting allegations that the wife of the Saudi ambassador donated money to a link to Osama Bin Laden's network.

And here in the UK, yet another dossier published in a tabloid newspaper on Saddam Hussein's human rights abuses. We know how vicious Saddam is, his rapings, and tortures and his "Palace Of The End", which was all conveniently forgotten in l980.

Can anyone show any links to indicate that Saddam Hussein was connected in any way to the events of 9/11?

Am I in favour of a war with Saddam Hussein? No. Why? Because it is the poor old soldier getting ass shot off who will bear the brunt of this mad adventure.

What is the alternative?

Use a quarter of the money being wasted on this proposed stupid war to enforce the UN Resolutions on oil for humanitarian resources.

We are being set up for a war, we are being cheer-led into battle by "dossiers".

I honestly believe there will be a war whatever the Inspection Teams discover.

If they discover nothing they are no good at their jobs.