Scott Ritter's Resignation: A Symbol of a Failing UN Effort

For seven years, Scott Ritter, the chief weapons inspector for the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (Unscom), led a valiant effort to uncover and eliminate Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programs. However, due to the obstructionist tactics of Iraq and the weakening resolve of the international community, particularly the United States and the United Nations, Ritter was forced to tender his resignation. In his letter, Ritter accused Iraq of perpetuating a systematic concealment mechanism, and he criticized Kofi Annan and Madeleine Albright for allowing the UN to become a sounding board for Iraqi grievances, ultimately leading to the failure of Unscom's mission.

Key Takeaways:

• Scott Ritter, the chief weapons inspector for Unscom, resigned due to Iraq's obstructionist tactics and the weakening resolve of the international community.
• Ritter accused Iraq of perpetuating a systematic concealment mechanism, which has prevented Unscom from discovering the full extent of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs.
• Kofi Annan and Madeleine Albright's actions have been criticized for allowing the UN to become a sounding board for Iraqi grievances, ultimately leading to the failure of Unscom's mission.
• The United States has been accused of duplicity for not pressing the case against Iraq despite Iraq's history of using chemical warfare and its ongoing efforts to produce weapons of mass destruction.
• Ms. Albright was warned by Ritter that "the illusion of arms control is more dangerous than no arms control at all," highlighting the need for a firm stance against countries intent on proliferating weapons of mass destruction.
• Since Saddam Hussein's unilateral suspension of UN inspections four weeks ago, the Security Council has issued feeble warnings, and Iraq has obtained a month to conceal further evidence of its past and present arsenal.

Statistics:

• 7 years: tenure of Scott Ritter as chief weapons inspector for Unscom
• 20 tons: amount of material essential to the production of anthrax still unaccounted for inside Iraq
• 250 tons: amount of chemicals integral to the VX nerve agent still unaccounted for inside Iraq
• 6 months: duration over which the State Department has attempted to dissuade Unscom from entering sensitive sites within Iraq

Sources:

• The Times, 1998