He issued a presidential order today to ban the importation and development of WoMD. This done today to coincide with the weapons inspectors' address to the UN SC.

Wow, he's really cooperating now! Maybe we can just ignore all the other stuff, since he's signed this piece of paper? :eek: :D

Indeed, maybe you can. Do you want to?

Do I want to because he's signed this order?

Nope, but if he actually comes clean instead of offering excuses and lip service, I'm sure everyone would be willing to forget the past dozen years.

Coming clean is the issue, so it's the intent of the paperwork, not the paperwork itself that matters, as the 1991 cease fire agreement should point out. ;)

[ 02-14-2003, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

Certainly, Saddam can see the writing on the wall. He's a king (for all intents and purposes), not a guerilla. He has alot to lose. He's buying time. I would too.

If he'd come clean, he could stay in power no matter how much he sucks. If the UN inspectors were saying, yes Iraq is doing all they can, they are disarming, they don't have new weapons which violate the resolutions, etc. then the US wouldn't have a leg to stand on. But Iraq isn't doing that, they're playing the same game they have been playing all along.

What I don't understand is why he won't cooperate? Is it just ego on his part, or is he afraid that submitting will degrade his hold over the country? Maybe he's afraid he'll be seen as weak, and proved a liar to his people, thereby losing his grip on the country.

Whatever. He's just got really good international relations advisors this time around. They were very good at pushing the envelope as absolutely far as it would go in their attempts to stall, hide, secret, and mask WoMD production attempts. He has played this game very well, and now shows his cagey ability to reverse everything right before the end-game scenario hits him on the head.

He'll wait 2 years, let things simmer down, and find another way to approach his goal.

Yes, probably something along those lines, which is perfectly understandable. He has made his rulership his life. The silly man wants to hold onto his power at all costs. He's a living folk-tale on the folly of ambition.

You're exactly right. At all costs is the scary part because it's doubtful he'll stop at evading the inspectors. :(

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that the UN Weapons Inspectors insisted that Saddam do this for compliance. I know it seems unlikely that he is being genuine, but that's what inspectors want.

Mark

Yes, it is required, but it's another in the series of "trickle down" compliance. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Judging from the elections, I'd say nobody would stand up to him. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hmm...vote Saddam....or get a bullet in the head? Yup, tough choice, that :D

Ah, Dictatorship :D

I think the dilema he faces is that by submitting and thereby admitting guilt he's showing weakness. Showing weakness and admitting his own lies. This admission would leave the sanctions and all other related problems on his own shoulders instead of on the "Great Satan".

Instead of flying in the face of the world and surviving, he'd be admitting to his own weakness. You're right, an election wouldn't come out against him, but he may become much more likely to get a bullet in the head by someone who thinks he's weak and that they can restore Iraq to "glory".

[ 02-14-2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

Ah...I didn't think about it from a global angle... :D

No, I think that with all these doubles flying around, assassination attempts would be pretty useless. C4 under the pillow, maybe? :D ;)

That decree is about as useless as the Munich Agreement back in 1938.

I'm actually waiting for a Saddam movie to come out soon from Hollywood. I wonder what lucky guy gets to play Saddam.

I vote for Dana Carvey though as George Bush Jr and he did a great job doing George Sr in 1991.

The movie could chronicle his early years and rise to power etc.

I'm surprised it hasn't been done yet....course maybe Hollywood screenwriters are waiting for an ending :)

Interesting point on the news tonight. This decree only effects individuals' and companies' abilities to deal with WoMD. It doesn't address the Iraqi government's options on the subject. ;)