The Baghdad Three

I just listened to Representatives Bonior and McDermott speak about their trip to Iraq.

Representative Bonior said the three Representatives went to Iraq because they wanted to impress upon the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq that they must allow inspections? Does he have any idea what he is saying? Does he really think that the people of Iraq have any say in it? He speaks of talking to various people on the streets as if they would tell Representative Bonior the truth about their fears. I suppose he thinks the Iraqis will write letters to the regime to beseech them to allow unfettered inspections.

He raised the depleted uranium issue, which is bull. No studies whatsoever done by the UN, the United States, or the British indicate any unintended harm from this weapon. It is a dense round that penetrates armor on tanks and other armored fighting vehicles. Indeed, we use it as armor to protect our tanks too. His other statistics that he spouted are doubtful as well and his lie that the sanctions cause all problems is a lie. Saddam has refused to comply with UN resolutions to disarm (and other requirements) resulting in the sanctions. Plus, he is selling plenty of oil. If he wanted to buy food and medicine, he could. How else do you explain the success of the Kurdish areas which operate under the same sanctions? The Kurds want to feed their people, however—that is the difference. The responsibility is Saddam’s and his alone. Representative Bonior’s espousal of these propaganda lines is disgraceful.

Representative McDermott said he is motivated by interest in the safety of the American people and soldiers. But he wants the UN to back anything we do. We must give the Chinese a veto, the French a veto, and the Russians a veto. He is comforted by Iraqi assurances that the Iraqis will allow unfettered inspections. He at least said he thought Saddam lies. He clearly doesn’t believe his statement about Saddam’s truthfulness, otherwise he might note the internal contradictions in trying to mesh his two beliefs. It was merely a lie he had to say to deflect criticism of his decision to attack the President from Baghdad. He is willing to safeguard the American people with more inspections that have no chance of succeeding. He will likely keep up this folly until we invade or until the Iraqis unveil their bomb.

The third representative has been out of the news. I would love to hear what he says. I can only believe that he has decided he has tied himself with a couple of kamikazes and he doesn’t want to go down with them.

Still, as long as most members of Congress don’t fall for this bunk, these representatives, who the Iraqis clearly believe are useful to their propaganda, are useful to the US government as well. They embarrass those who might have some sympathy with not invading but who cannot accept their trip to Baghdad to spout their thoughts. And they gave Saddam hope that he can actually avoid invasion. That is useful. Saddam will gamble he can win it all. He has for eleven years, after all, fooled the international community. His quest for dominance of the Gulf, which he launched in 1980, has been foiled by the Iranians and then America. I bet he doesn’t believe he can start over again from scratch if he gives in to unfettered inspections. He has waited a long time to be in the position to win it all and he will throw the dice again. His run is almost over.