-Caveat Lector- He only has days to stretch this out. Wonder what he'll decide?
http://www.news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/11/12/wirq12.xml Saddam silent as MPs defy UN By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor (Filed: 12/11/2002) Iraq's rubber-stamp parliament staged a show of indignation yesterday and called for the rejection of the United Nations ultimatum for Baghdad to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction. But the only voice that counts, that of Saddam Hussein, remained silent. It was not clear whether the Iraqi leader intended to precipitate an immediate confrontation - and an inevitable war with America and its allies - or whether he would continue to play for time. Ignoring the US administration's warnings of "zero tolerance" over Iraqi defiance, one MP after another rose to denounce the unanimous UN Security Council resolution as a "blatant provocation for war" and "a violation of Iraqi sovereignty". As the emergency session of the assembly opened, Salim al-Koubaisi, head of the foreign relations committee, urged it to reject the Security Council resolution, which was passed last Friday. "The committee advises . . . the rejection of Security Council Resolution 1441 and to not agree to it in response to the opinions of our people, who put their trust on us," Mr al-Koubaisi told colleagues. The speaker of parliament, Saadoun Hamadi denounced the resolution as one stacked with "ill intentions, falsehood, lies and dishonesty". The tone of defiance, broadcast live on Iraqi television after the state media had reported the UN resolution in a low-key manner, was something of a surprise. A day earlier Iraqi officials had contrived to interpret the tough resolution as a victory for Iraq and a defeat for US war plans. On the face of it, the parliament appeared to be preparing the stage for a momentous rejection. But the MPs made clear that the real decision would be taken elsewhere: by the Revolutionary Command Council and Saddam. "What is proposed is the rejection of the UN resolution as an expression of the feeling of the Iraqi people and stance regarding the ill intentions of the resolution," Mr Hammadi said before the session adjourned until today. "Parliament will authorise the leadership to take any measure which it sees appropriate to defend the country." An outright rejection would be characteristic for Saddam, who has repeatedly gambled and recklessly ignored the UN's ultimatum before the 1991 Gulf war. But in September he abruptly switched tactics from defiance to co-operation, and Baghdad said it was ready to re-admit weapons inspectors. Iraq has until Friday to accept Security Council resolution 1441. This gives Saddam "a final opportunity" to comply with resolutions requiring Iraq to disarm itself of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and the means of delivery. A second, more important deadline comes in early December, when Saddam will have to give a full account of his weapons programmes. Any lies or omission would constitute a casus belli. America has stepped up its warnings that even the slightest violation could precipitate military action. President George W Bush marked Veterans Day yesterday by repeating warnings that disarming Saddam Hussein is an "urgent task for America and the world". Addressing British and American Second World War veterans in the White House, Mr Bush declared his readiness to use the "full force and might of the United States military" if necessary. "The time to confront this threat is before it arrives, not the day after," he added. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/ctrl@;listserv.aol.com/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/ctrl@;listserv.aol.com/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
