US Diplomacy Fails to Gain Arab Leaders' Opposition to Iraq Attack

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright returned from six-day diplomatic talks with Arab leaders in the Middle East, stating that none of them had expressed opposition to a potential US attack on Iraq. The talks aimed at gaining support for a US military operation if Iraq continues to bar UN weapons inspectors. While the Arab leaders preferred a diplomatic route, they were more optimistic than Albright that diplomacy could persuade Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to reopen suspected weapons sites to UN inspectors. No Arab leader publicly endorsed the military option, but some were open to all options. Albright will report her findings to President Bill Clinton and meet with Congress members today.

Key Takeaways:

• US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright found no opposition from six Arab leaders to a potential US attack on Iraq if diplomacy fails to persuade President Saddam Hussein to reopen suspected weapons sites to UN inspectors.
• None of the Arab leaders publicly endorsed the military option, but some were open to all options.
• The Arab leaders were more optimistic than Albright that diplomacy could reverse Saddam's resistance to inspections for biological and chemical weapons.
• Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa promised Egypt's diplomatic efforts would continue.
• Defense Secretary William Cohen briefed senators on plans to strike Iraq, outlining clear goals of "degrading (Saddam Hussein's) weapons of mass destruction capabilities" and any threat of destabilizing the oil-rich region.
• Cohen conceded that strikes on chemical or biological weapons manufacturing facilities would still leave Iraq in a position to reconstitute those facilities quickly.
• House Speaker Newt Gingrich's office declined Iraq's invitation for a congressional delegation to visit some of the palaces denied to UN weapons inspectors.

Statistics:

• 6: The number of Arab leaders Albright met with during the diplomatic talks.
• 6: The number of days Albright spent on her diplomatic mission.
• 108: The number of Republican senators present at the classified briefing by Defense Secretary William Cohen and Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Sources:

• "Albright discusses Arab leaders' views on Iraq attack" (Associated Press)
• "Albright's talks with Arab leaders succeed in gaining support for US action against Iraq" (New York Times)
• "Defense official: US plans to strike Iraq are being discussed with senators" (CNN)