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Saturday, February 08, 2003
posted by gbarto at 11:55 AM:
Blix in 'Substantial' Talks With IraqisTop U.N. inspector meeting face to face with officials in Baghdad to demand Saddam's regime reveal weapons details
For those who don't read diplomat-speak, that's code for "please don't make us act, just let us negotiate until capitulation's the only remaining option." Here's some more deciphering:
Hans Blix characterized the meetings as "useful discussions on substantial issues."See above.
After more than four hours of meetings, ElBaradei reported the Iraqis had presented unspecified "explanations on some of the issues." Asked if this was the last chance for peace, ElBaradei replied: "This is an important chance. Not the last chance. There will be other chances.""We think we've agreed on what to call each other which is good because now we can talk. I'd tell you more but you'd be unimpressed. So I'll just say something about peace and hope nobody does a reality check."
"The Iraqi side is providing explanations of some of the issues," including those of U-2 surveillance flights and private interviews with scientists, "as well as outstanding issues" in the fields of missiles, biological and chemical weapons, Blix said.Note, again, the lack of details. They talk about "substantial," but they aren't giving us anything "substantive" because there isn't anything. Watch:
ElBaradei and Blix were looking for quick Iraqi concessions on practical matters in the disarmament effort, such as clearance to fly American U-2 reconnaissance planes in support of their inspections.But it doesn't say they got them.
But they also wanted more: documents, testimony or other evidence to clear up discrepancies in Iraq's accounting for weapons of mass destruction produced and weapons destroyed over a decade ago.But it doesn't say they got any documents, and Gen. Amin doesn't say who the Iraqis hope to make the talks a success for. Anyone want to guess?
Baghdad will "do our best to make his (Blix's) visit successful," said Maj. Gen. Hossam Mohamed Amin, head Iraqi liaison to the inspectors.
Iraqi officials allowed inspectors to privately interview an Iraqi scientist for the first time on Thursday, a concession long-sought by U.N officials. Three more scientists were interviewed on Friday. On Saturday, a U.N. official told Fox News that a fifth Iraqi scientist would be interviewed later that day.Though they'd be more candid if they knew whether that Iraqi would-be defector was still alive. (That's the guy circled in red.)
Adnan Abdul Karim Enad: Is he still alive?
The Iraqis know they have to concede something to show a change in attitude, said a senior U.N. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.That UN officials have to speak anonymously to reveal what everyone knows - that Iraq better change its tune damn fast or the UN won't be able to hold off the US - sort of says it all about where the UN stands in this. Hoping and praying that they won't be embarrassed into having to do something and hoping they can convince Saddam to spare them the awful choice.
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