To often I hear rhetoric about the Iraq war. Somehow the reason has been obfuscated. Note, this is not a pro war or anti-war rant. This is just a recount of the fact that Saddam was a really bad guy who put himself above the interests of his people and peace.
Iraq invaded Kuwait without provocation. This aggression was stopped -- by the coalition forces.
To stop hostilities, Iraq's dictator accepted a series of commitments he agreed to prove he was complying.
In 1991, Security Council Resolution 688 demanded that the Iraqi regime cease at once the repression of its own people. This demand was ignored.
In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, through Resolutions 686 and 687, demanded that Iraq return all prisoners from Kuwait and other lands. Iraq's regime agreed. This was ignored.
In 1991, the U.N. Security Council, through Resolution 687, demanded that Iraq renounce all involvement with terrorism, and permit no terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq. In violation of Security Council Resolution 1373, Iraq continued to shelter and support terrorist. In 1993, Iraq attempted to assassinate the Emir of Kuwait and a former American President.
In 1991, the Iraqi regime agreed to destroy and stop developing all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles, and to prove to the world it has done so by complying with inspections. Iraq played games in faux compliance.
Iraq also possessed a force of Scud-type missiles with ranges beyond the 150 kilometers permitted by the U.N.
In 1990, The world imposed economic sanctions on Iraq, to compel the regime's compliance with Security Council resolutions. Iraq was allowed to use oil revenues to buy food. Saddam Hussein subverted this program.
In 1991, Iraq promised U.N. inspectors immediate and unrestricted access to verify Iraq's commitment to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles. Iraq broke this promise, spending seven years deceiving, evading, and harassing U.N. inspectors before ceasing cooperation entirely. The security council demanded time after time for new inspections.
Then Iraq was given one last chance, the following conditions were laid out:
Immediately and unconditionally forswear, disclose, and remove or destroy all weapons of mass destruction, long-range missiles, and all related material.
Immediately end all support for terrorism and act to suppress terrorism.
Cease persecution of its civilian population, including Shi'a, Sunnis, Kurds, Turkomans, and others.
Release or account for all Gulf War personnel whose fate is still unknown.
Immediately end all illicit trade outside the oil-for-food program.
Saddam did none of it, he was taken down.
4 comments:
"I know I speak for everyone in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, when I say to Saddam Hussein, "You cannot defy the will of the world," and when I say to him, "You have used weapons of mass destruction before. We are determined to deny you the capacity to use them again"....Saddam Hussein has spent the better part of this decade and much of his nation's wealth not on providing for the Iraqi people but on developing Nuclear, Chemical and Biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them..."
---President Bill Clinton, January 27, 1998
I can still recall my uncle, who was an German engineer in Iraq in 79 to 82, telling my dad about a visit he'd had with Saddam.
After teh airport he was building was completed, he got an extensive tour of military installations with Saddam.
His comment to my dad (we were living in California) was, "If you knew what he had, you wouldn't want to live in this country any more."
When the war started going badand dragging on too long, most poeple conveniently forgot all that, or claimed Bush misled them into it. Bush is one sneaky bastard. How did he fix the intellegence and even convince Bill Clinton 3 years before taking office? Bush has always been seriously underestimated.
I like you shoo! Clearly you think just like me!
Back tio he main topic: Excellent rant. I agree with your analysis.
I am amazed at the memory wipe (lobotomy??) that has been proformed on so many (left leaning) American's.
But most appalling is Senator Joe Biden's recent comment that, after he and Obama are elected, they would investigate charges against Bush. For what? Keeping us safe for 7 years?
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