Clinton Administration's Iraq Policy Under Fire: Allegations of Intervention with U.N. Inspectors

Strategic Insights -

As the White House grapples with accusations of interfering with U.N. weapons inspectors in Iraq, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the State Department are facing increasing scrutiny. According to reports in The London Times and The Washington Post, the Clinton administration has successfully blocked the inspectors' access to sensitive sites, allegedly to avoid confronting Saddam Hussein over his chemical, biological, and nuclear capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration has been accused of interfering with the work of U.N. weapons inspectors in Iraq, allegedly to avoid confronting Saddam Hussein over his WMD capabilities.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is at the center of the controversy, with reports suggesting she may have instructed the inspectors to go home.
  • The administration's policy towards Iraq appears to be focused on avoiding confrontation and potentially lifting U.N. sanctions to withdraw U.S. troops from the region.
  • The alleged interference with inspectors is in direct contravention of U.N. resolutions mandating full access for the teams.
  • British officials, including Derek Plumbly and U.S. Amb. Peter Burleigh, have also been involved in the alleged interference.
  • The controversy has raised questions about American credibility and trust in the government's foreign policy decisions.

Statistics:

  • The U.N. resolution 1154, passed on March 2, demanded "immediate, unconditional and unrestricted" cooperation with the inspection teams.
  • The Clinton administration accepted a deal negotiated by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan on Feb. 23, allowing inspectors access to sensitive sites in the company of diplomats.
  • In January, the U.S. and Iraq disagreed over access to "palatial" sites, which the Iraqis claimed should be off-limits to inspectors.
  • According to The Washington Post, U.S. officials blocked three unscheduled inspection visits to Iraqi sites between mid-July and Aug. 9.

Sources:

  • The London Times
  • The Washington Post
  • NBC's "Meet the Press" (quoting Secretary of State Madeleine Albright)
  • U.N. resolution 1154
  • U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's agreement with the Clinton administration on Feb. 23