Pre-Blix Q&A
Rainy Day would dearly love an exclusive Q&A with Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, but visitors must accept that the man of the moment has a rather full schedule. Vienna, Baghdad and today New York where he presents his much-awaited report to the United Nations Security Council. As a result, we've had to supply the questions and answers ourselves. Here goes.
Q: Why did the United Nations Security Council pass resolution 1441?A: Simple. Saddam Hussein's regime has been in material breach of all its obligations to disarm since 1992, and resolution 1441 demands that this state of affairs be ended.
Q: Has Saddam complied with the terms of the resolution?
A: Although he's made absolutely no effort to do so, there are people who believe that he might comply if he's given more time.
Q: Why does he need more time? Surely he's had enough.
A: I suppose he's got his reasons.
Q: Hmmn. Maybe it would help if the US and the UK supplied more evidence about Iraq's weapons program?
A: Actually, there's no mention in resolution 1441 of any requirement for the international community to provide more evidence. The resolution places the burden solely on Iraq to prove that it has complied.
Q: What about the idea of deploying more inspectors? Even doubling the number? As the French and Germans suggest. They might find the hidden stuff.
A: The inspectors are in Iraq to monitor compliance with resolution 1441, not to find any kind of proof. Looking for hidden weapons would be investigation, not inspection, and would require armed personnel, not civilians, to make it work, and lots of them, too, given the size of Iraq. And it's possible the Saddam would see that as an invasion.
Q: Inspection, investigation, invasion, Iraq. All "i" words.
A: Aye.
Well, that's all we've time for now. Back later with a look at plans for the future of Iraq, post-Saddam.
Diarist of the day: Adrian Mole, 14 February 1983"ST VALENTINE'S DAY
Got four cards, one from Pandora [girlfriend], one from Grandma, one from my mother and one from Rosie [babysitter].
Big, big deal!
I got Pandora a Cupid card with a mini pack of After Eights. My parents didn't bother this year, they are saving their money to pay for the solicitor's letter."
