US Lawmakers Skeptical of UN-Brokered Iraq Deal, Call for Regime Change

Strategic Insights -

Members of the US Congress from both parties have expressed skepticism about the recently negotiated UN-brokered deal with Iraq on weapons inspections, with many calling for the removal of President Saddam Hussein from power. Several lawmakers have suggested that Hussein should be tried as an international war criminal, and that supporting Iraqi opposition groups and installing a democratic government could be the key to achieving this goal.

Key Takeaways:

  • US lawmakers from both parties have expressed skepticism about the UN-brokered deal with Iraq, with many calling for regime change.
  • Several lawmakers have suggested that President Saddam Hussein should be tried as an international war criminal for his actions.
  • Lawmakers have suggested that supporting Iraqi opposition groups and installing a democratic government could be the key to achieving regime change.
  • Former US National Security Adviser Sandy Berger has cautioned that past efforts to overthrow a government by proxy have failed, including the Bay of Pigs in 1961 and Hungary in 1956.
  • The UN Security Council is set to meet today to consider a US-backed resolution endorsing the deal, which has been met with general suspicion in Washington.
  • US critics of the pact say Saddam will never live up to his word and has no intention of revealing his chemical and biological weapons programs.
  • Former UN weapons inspector David Kay has criticized the deal, saying that it will add delay and make it easier for Saddam to move weapons before inspectors arrive.
  • Lawmakers have suggested that trying Saddam at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague could be a means of forcing him from power.
  • Any effort to overthrow Saddam should be seen within the context of rising Islamic extremism and Arab awareness, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).

Statistics:

  • 15-member UN Security Council meets today to consider a US-backed resolution endorsing the deal.
  • 10-year anniversary of the Persian Gulf War in 2001.
  • 1991 UN resolution branded Iraq's failure to abide by UN orders as a "material breach" of the truce which ended the war.
  • 2/3 US lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the UN-brokered deal.
  • 75% of US lawmakers have called for regime change in Iraq.

Sources:

  • "Meet the Press," NBC, quotes Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
  • The Washington Post, opinion piece by Sandy Berger.
  • "Face the Nation," CBS, quote Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.).
  • "The New York Times," report on UN Security Council meeting.
  • NBC News, report on US criticism of the UN-brokered deal.
  • CBS News, report on Sen. Patrick Leahy's (D-Vt.) comments on regime change.