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Short of a coup against Saddam, war this winter is inevitable (Fergal Keane, The Independent, 26, October 2002) Meetings of men in suits speaking through translators make for remarkably dull television, as anybody who has tried to cover EU deliberations will tell you. But these men are debating the prospect of a war that could have huge ramifications for all of us, not least the citizens of America whose representatives are forcing the Security Council towards a moment of decision. The absence of television coverage probably suits the Bush White House for it prevents Americans from understanding the depth of international opposition to the planned war. . . . Opponents of war have seized crumbs of comfort from statements by Powell and Condoleeza Rice that getting rid of the weapons of mass destruction was the US priority, as well as the assertion by George Bush that if the regime changed its ways that would amount to regime change. Forget it. That was disingenuous weekend spin designed to mollify the other Security Council members. Preparations for war might be discreet, but they are still going on. . . . The administration is convinced that Saddam will refuse to disarm. . . . The Iraqi leader has repeatedly insisted that he has no weapons of mass destruction. How, then, can he possibly disarm? You cannot hand over what you say you don't have. . . . If nothing is found, Bush and Blair will face unprecedented humiliation. This is a very unlikely scenario. More probable is Mr Blix will find evidence, forcing Saddam to admit he was a liar and humiliating him in front of the Arab world. . . . The most important lesson of the post-11 September world is that when America decides it has a clear national interest America will act – with or without the rest of us.
posted by LoZo 4:52 PM
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