21 - 27 February 2002
Issue No.574
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 February 2002 Issue No.574 |
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All eyes on Iraq
In the wake of the 11 September attacks against America, voices advocating "dealing with" Iraq have increased in US corridors of power. Anayat Durrani reports from Washington
As the international spotlight begins to fade on the US-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq appears to be taking centre stage and is finding itself directly in the path of the United States.
Discussions on Iraq as the possible next target in the US global war on terrorism have reached new levels, particularly following President George W Bush's State of the Union speech last month. In the address, Iraq found itself in the company of Iran and North Korea as sponsors of terrorism constituting an "axis of evil." Bush said the three countries posed a threat to the US because of their alleged support for terrorism and their efforts to obtain or develop weapons of mass destruction.
The president's tough talk, however, was not supported by his European allies who criticised Bush over his "simplistic" and "unilateral" approach to foreign policy. European nations have been outspoken against expanding the war on terrorism to Iraq, pointing out that there is no proof that the Gulf country was involved in the attacks of 11 September and that military action could have disastrous repercussions in the Arab world. European Union (EU) nations have instead advocated an approach to Iraq that favours diplomatic and economic means over military ones.
Bush is currently on a six-day three-nation tour of East Asia that will conclude in China. While in Tokyo, the US president defended his "axis of evil" statement, saying: "There are some nations in the world which want to develop weapons that will hurt the United States and/or our friends and allies, and we've got to stop them from doing so. History has given us a unique opportunity to defend freedom. And we're going to seize the moment, and do it. And I'm confident nations will come with us."
Secretary of State Colin Powell responded to European criticism of Bush's "axis of evil" statements on CNN's Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer on Sunday, saying, "My European colleagues should be pounding on Iraq as quickly as they pound on us when the president makes a strong, principled speech."
The Bush administration has called on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to allow UN weapons inspectors back into the country to prove he no longer possesses weapons of mass destruction. International weapons inspection teams have not been allowed into Iraq since 1998. Hussein has said that he does not have weapons of mass destruction. On Saturday, he told a group of scientists from the Iraqi Nuclear Energy Organisation that Iraq "is not interested in acquiring weapons of mass destruction."
In response to his comments, Secretary of State Colin Powell told NBC's Meet the Press, "We've heard it for 10 years. If it is a true statement, and he's right and I'm wrong, there is a simple way to test the proposition. That is to let the inspectors in, as the president has called for repeatedly."
Four days after Iraq invaded Kuwait, on 6 August 1990, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Iraq. The Gulf War began the following January, when a US-led coalition of 17 nations launched an assault on Iraq that lasted 42 days, killing more than 100,000 Iraqis. During the Gulf War, the US-led coalition expelled Iraqi troops from Kuwait, but Hussein remained in power.
"Until that regime is changed, his neighbours have much to fear, and we should be fearful, too, because the weapons he is developing could well fall into hands of terrorists who might be able to use them," said Powell. Powell has also said that the United States will confer with its allies before taking action on Iraq, but would be prepared to act alone to accomplish its objectives.
Since taking office, Bush has said that he would like to see Hussein removed from power. However senior officials said that the US president has not yet decided whether he will take military action against Iraq.
Iraq has indicated in recent statements by top officials that it was ready to hold new talks with the United Nations, and would consider allowing UN weapons inspectors to return. In reaction to such a move, Deputy Defence Secretary Paul D Wolfowitz said on Fox News Sunday programme, "Show me."
US policy on Iraq has recently come under review, and senior officials have begun to discuss several options to oust the Iraqi leader, such as engaging in direct military action, local insurgency, or supporting a coup, or all three, according to a report by The Washington Post. A possible plan of action is expected to be completed in time for Vice-President Dick Cheney's visit to the Middle East in mid-March when he will meet with leaders of 11 countries, including four that share a border with Iraq.
Regarding the options for dealing with Iraq, Wolfowitz said, "There's a mix of things: diplomatic pressure, political pressure, military pressure." He added, "But the problem has got to be dealt with. It can't be walked away from."
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