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Iraq

Iraq Confronts US Over Weapons Inspectors

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Clinton accused Iraqi President Saddam Hussein of trying to "pick and choose" the weapons inspectors, as Iraq threatened to bar a US-led team of inspectors from visiting sites suspected of containing weapons of mass destruction. The crisis comes as the 16-member team, led by Scott Ritter, a former Marine captain, is set to inspect seven sites, including three deemed "sensitive" by Iraqi officials. Iraq has accused Ritter of being a spy and has threatened to bar him from all inspections. The US and UN have condemned the move, with the US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, saying the issue will be discussed at a Security Council meeting on Thursday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iraq has threatened to bar a US-led team of 16 inspectors, led by Scott Ritter, from visiting sites suspected of containing weapons of mass destruction.
  • The team was scheduled to inspect seven sites, including three deemed "sensitive" by Iraqi officials.
  • Iraq has accused Ritter of being a spy and has threatened to bar him from all inspections.
  • The US and UN have condemned the move, with President Clinton accusing Saddam Hussein of trying to "pick and choose" the inspectors.
  • The US ambassador to the UN has stated that the issue will be discussed at a Security Council meeting on Thursday.
  • Iraq is permitted to sell $2 billion worth of oil every six months.
  • The crisis comes as the US-led team is in the middle of a 7-day inspection period.
  • The team has been able to carry out their work so far, but the real test is what happens when Ritter goes out on inspections tomorrow.
  • A confidential CIA report has criticized the Clinton administration's Iraq policy, stating that it has strengthened Saddam's position and encouraged him to flout Security Council resolutions.
  • The Pentagon reinforced its military presence in the Gulf after the impasse began in November 1998.
  • US Defense Secretary William S. Cohen has stated that the US has a "robust presence" in the Gulf and does not need to strengthen its military presence.

Statistics:

  • Iraq is permitted to sell $2 billion worth of oil every six months.
  • The 16-member team of inspectors is led by Scott Ritter, a former Marine captain.
  • The team is scheduled to inspect seven sites, including three deemed "sensitive" by Iraqi officials.
  • The US has a "robust presence" in the Gulf with more than sufficient military power to take action should it be necessary.
  • The inspection period is scheduled to last for 7 days.
  • The US-led team has been able to carry out their work so far.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Accuses Iraq of Trying to 'Pick and Choose' Inspectors" by The New York Times (date not specified)
  • "Iraq Denounces U.S. Inspector as Spy" by The Washington Times (date not specified)
  • "U.S. Seeks Diplomatic Resolution to Iraq Standoff" by Reuters (date not specified)
  • Confidential CIA report (date not specified)
  • "Pentagon Reinforces Military Presence in Gulf" by The Washington Post (date not specified)

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