Timeline
- 08-09-02 Britain Warns USA Against War With Iraq (Independent.co.uk - Sengupta)
"Britain has strongly advised the United States against attacking Iraq, warning that it risked intensifying the conflicts in Afghanistan, Israel and Kashmir, senior defence and diplomatic sources say." 8-02
- 09-01-02 European and Middle East Leaders Alarmed by Bush Administration's Position on Iraq (CNN - Oakley)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said '' 'If you strike Iraq and kill the people of Iraq while Palestinians are being killed by Israel... then not one Arab leader will be able to control the angry outburst of the masses.' " In addition, European nations "have noted with alarm what they see as growing unilateralist attitudes in the U.S.," according to Oakley. "Even the United States' staunchest ally in Europe [the UK] still prefers the diplomatic course to the military one at this stage." 9-02
- 09-01-02 Europeans Demand Action by Iraq (BBC News)
"The European Union has called on Baghdad to allow United Nations weapons inspectors back into Iraq immediately." 8-02
- 09-01-02 Global Outcry Against US Attack on Iraq (Guardian - Watt, Norton-Taylor, and Ward)
"Alarmed by growing rhetoric from leading hawks in Washington, key countries from China to Saudi Arabia warned of the devastating consequences of a US-led assault against Iraq." 8-02
- 09-01-02 Republican Leaders Urge Bush to Gain Lawmakers' Approval on Iraq (Bloomberg.com - Sobczyk)
"Senator John McCain and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole called on President George W. Bush to seek congressional approval before taking military action against Iraq" 9-02
- 09-03-02 British Prime Minister Vows to Provide Evidence on Iraq (CNN)
Tony Blair, Prime Minister of England, said "he believed it would be a good idea for the government to publish its data on Hussein's programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction in the next few weeks " 9-02
- 09-04-02 Bush Consults with World Leaders (BBC News)
"Mr Bush announced that he would meet UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on Saturday at Camp David to discuss Iraq, and that he would be consulting the other permanent UN Security Council members - France, China and Russia - by phone." 9-02
- 09-07-02 Misinterpretation of Report on Nuclear Capacity in Iraq (MSNBC)
"Seeking to build a case Saturday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction, President Bush cited a satellite photograph and a report by the U.N. atomic energy agency as evidence of Iraq’s impending rearmament. But in response to a report by NBC News, a senior administration official acknowledged Saturday night that the U.N. report drew no such conclusion, and a spokesman for the U.N. agency said the photograph had been misinterpreted."
"And both leaders [President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair] mentioned a 1998 report by the U.N.-affiliated International Atomic Energy Agency that said Saddam could be six months away from developing nuclear weapons."
"Contrary to Bush’s claim, however, the 1998 IAEA report did not say that Iraq was six months from developing nuclear capability, NBC News’ Robert Windrem reported Saturday."
"Instead, Windrem reported, the Vienna, Austria-based agency said in 1998 that Iraq had been six to 24 months away from such capability before the 1991 Persian Gulf War and the U.N.-monitored weapons inspections that followed."
"The war and the inspections destroyed much of Iraq’s nuclear infrastructure and required Iraq to turn over its highly enriched uranium and plutonium, Windrem reported."
"In a summary of its 1998 report, the IAEA said that 'based on all credible information available to date ... the IAEA has found no indication of Iraq having achieved its programme goal of producing nuclear weapons or of Iraq having retained a physical capability for the production of weapon-useable nuclear material or having clandestinely obtained such material.' ” 9-02
- 09-08-02 Bush Administration Urges Action Against Iraq (CNN News)
Provides arguments by Bush administration officials for taking action, possibly military intervention, against Iraq. Officials noted that Iraq had recently attempted to gain metal cylinders believed to be useful primarily for developing nuclear fuel. 9-02
- 09-08-02 Iraq Not a Current Threat According to Ex-Inspector (CNN - O'Brien and Ritter)
CNN's O'Brien: "You seem very certain that there is no evidence that Saddam Hussein is engaged in an effort to build weapons of mass destruction. How can you be so certain?"
Former Inspector Ritter: "What I'm very certain of is that the Bush administration has not provided any evidence to substantiate its allegations that Saddam Hussein's regime is currently pursuing weapons of mass destruction programs or is in actual possession of weapons of mass destruction." Ritter alleges that inspectors were successful until 1998.
CNN's O'Brien: "But the situation had become untenable for those inspectors, it's worth reminding our viewers."
Former Inspector Ritter: "No, absolutely false. The inspectors were able to do their task of disarming Iraq without any obstruction by Iraq [from 1994-1998]." "The obstruction only came when weapons inspectors sought to gain access to sites that Iraq deemed to be sensitive." These were intelligence facilities and "had nothing whatsoever to do with weapons of mass destruction."
"Let's keep in mind that the reason why inspectors are out of Iraq isn't because Iraq kicked them out, but rather they were ordered out by the United States after the United States manipulated the inspection process to create a confrontation that led to Operation Desert Fox and then used intelligence information gathered by inspectors to target Iraqi government sites, including the security of Saddam Hussein."
"Saddam Hussein is a man who's very interested in the continued survival of Saddam Hussein. And I believe he recognizes that any effort by himself or his government to reacquire any aspect of weapons of mass destruction -- let alone nuclear weapons -- would be the equivalent of taking a suicide pill." 9-02
- 09-12-02 Bush Asks for U.N. Support on Iraq (BBC News)
"US President George W Bush has made his case against Iraq in a key address to the United Nations. " Lists the key points from the speech. 9-02
- 09-12-02 Bush Asks for U.N. Support on Iraq (CBS News)
"Senior European officials reacted positively to President Bush's call Thursday for Iraq to comply with U.N. resolutions or face the consequences."
"Mr. Bush offered to work in concert with other nations on a resolution 'to meet our common challenge.' And, he said, 'if the Iraqi regime defies us again the world must move deliberately and decisively' against the Iraqi leader."
"Mr. Bush's apparent willingness to act through the United Nations seemed to reflect the growing chorus of opposition to unilateral U.S. military action to topple Saddam Hussein." 9-02
- 09-12-02 U.N. Secretary-General Opposes U.S. Attack of Iraq (ABC News)
"U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Thursday he opposed unilateral action against Iraq, but told Baghdad to readmit weapons inspectors or face whatever response the U.N. Security Council decides."
"He challenged President Bush's policies on Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his opening address to the U.N. General Assembly."
"Bush explained why he thinks Iraq threatens the world and challenged the United Nations to respond. He said Washington would act if the world body failed to do so." 9-02
- 09-13-02 US Gains Support from the U.N. for Deadline for Iraq (Bloomberrg - Varner)
"U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell got support from other members of the United Nations Security Council for setting a deadline to return weapons inspectors to Iraq and forcing Saddam Hussein to comply with the world body's resolutions." 9-02
- 09-16-02 Iraq Agrees to Unrestricted Inspections (Bloomberrg - Varner)
"United Nations, Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Iraq agreed to let United Nations inspectors search for weapons of mass destruction without restrictions, a step the U.S. dismissed as a `tactic' to avert a UN Security Council ultimatum." 9-02
- 09-16-02 Iraq Agrees to Unrestricted Inspections (MSNBC)
"The White House said Monday a U.N. Security Council resolution requiring that Iraq disarm was still needed despite Iraq’s unconditional offer for the return of U.N. weapons inspectors." 9-02
- 09-16-02 Poll - Americans Do Not Want America to Attack Iraq Alone (CBS News)
Provides results of a poll that finds that while Americans "approve of U.S. military action to try to remove him [Saddam], and believe war against Iraq is inevitable, most would prefer to wait -- for the U.N. to try to get weapons inspectors back into Iraq, for President Bush to get the approval of Congress, and for U.S. allies to join in." 9-02
- 09-17-02 Bush Administration Not Satisfied With Iraq's Offer (Fox News)
" 'This is not a matter of inspections. It is about disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the Iraqi regime's compliance with all other Security Council resolutions,' McClellan said in Washington." 9-02
- 09-17-02 Iraq Offers Unconditional Inspections (Independent - Sengupta and Buncombe)
"Though Iraq said its offer was unconditional, Washington and Britain remained sceptical and the White House said it was not prepared to enter into negotiations with President Saddam." 9-02
- 09-21-02 Congress May Limit President's Power to Wage War (USA Today)
"Some lawmakers from both political parties have said Bush's proposed congressional resolution authorizing military action against Iraq amounts to a blank check and will be reworked." The U.S. Constitution gives the U.S. Congress sole power to declare war on behalf of the people of the United States. 9-02
- 09-22-02 President's Proposal to Congress on War Powers (USA Today)
"The president is authorized to use all means that he determines to be appropriate, including force, in order to enforce the United Nations Security Council resolutions referenced above, defend the national security interests of the United States against the threat posed by Iraq, and restore international peace and security in the region." 9-02
- 09-27-02 Bush Stresses Working With the U.N. on Iraq (Bloomberg - Canizares and Keil)
"President George W. Bush stressed the need to work through the United Nations to confront Iraq, softening his tone as Democrats warned that a war without that effort would risk a wider conflict that draws in Israel." 9-02
- 09-27-02 Russia Fears U.S. Control of Iraq Oil (Independent - Buncombe)
"With the second-biggest reserves in the world, Iraq's underdeveloped oilfields have become a key negotiating chip and a backdrop to talks between the US and the other permanent members of the UN Security Council – all of which have major economic stakes in regime change in Iraq." 9-02
- 10-02-02 Iraq Agrees to Immediate and Unrestricted Access (MSNBC News)
"The Iraqis agreed to 'immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access' to all sites, [chief weapons inspector] Blix said, including the Ministry of Defense and Republican Guard facilities." 9-02
- 10-04-02 Disagreement in the U.N. on USA Position Against Iraq (CNN)
Members of the U.N. Security Council do not want to give the USA carte blanche, a blank check, or total freedom to use military power. 9-02
- 10-04-02 Powell and U.N. Lead Inspector Agree (CBS News)
"Secretary of State Colin Powell forged an agreement Friday with the chief U.N. weapons inspector to defer searching for illicit arms in Iraq until tough new rules are imposed." 10-02
- 10-05-02 USA May Compromise with U.N. on Iraq (CNN)
"With prodding from Britain, the US is now considering an approach proposed by the French President, Jacques Chirac. He sees a first resolution clarifying new rules for the conduct of the inspections. The warning of military punishment would come in a second resolution that would only be adopted if Iraq fell foul of the new UN demands." 10-02
- 10-06-02 Congress Set to Approve Resolution on Iraq (CBS News)
"Congressional leaders said Sunday a resolution authorizing war against Iraq, expected to pass with little dissent, will strengthen the U.S. hand at the United Nations and increase pressure on Saddam Hussein to disarm." 9-02
- 10-07-02 Support for War with Iraq Declining (USA Today - Benedetto and Keen)
"Support for using U.S. ground troops to invade Iraq has dropped over the past two weeks from 57% to 53%. And that support drops even further, to 33%, if 5,000 casualties might occur." 10-02
- 10-08-02 Senator Byrd May Delay Resolution Supporting War (BBC News)
" 'This resolution authorizes the president to determine, and authorizes the president to use, military forces as he will, when he will, how he will and wherever he will as long as the threat is tied to Iraq,' Byrd said. 'Suffice it to say that this is a blank check ... given over to the chief executive, not just this one but chief executives who will succeed him....'
'Congress is ceding lock, stock and barrel its power to declare war,' he said.
Byrd, who is widely respected for his deep knowledge of the Senate rules, told his colleagues at a Democratic Party luncheon that he would use those rules to put off a vote, a prospect that angered supporters of the resolution.' " 10-02
- 10-10-02 Daschle Backs Bush on War (USA Today)
"Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle put aside his misgivings Thursday and announced he will support President Bush's request for authority to use force against Iraq. 'I believe it is important for America to speak with one voice,' Daschle declared.' " 10-02
- 10-11-02 Congress Gives President Bush Approval to Wage War (MSNBC)
"The Senate joined the House on Friday morning in voting solidly to give President Bush the authority to use force against Iraq, approving a resolution endorsed by the president and leaders of both parties."
"But some influential Democrats remained opposed, and the resolution’s leading opponent, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, did not go down without a fight, accusing Congress of 'handing the president unchecked authority.'
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed. “The power to declare war is the most solemn responsibility given to Congress by the Constitution,” he said. 'We must not delegate that responsibility to the president in advance.' ”
"A majority of Democrats voted against the resolution, even though their House leader, Dick Gephardt of Missouri, was one of its authors." 10-02
- 10-17-02 Bush Supports U.N. Compromise on Iraq (The Australian)
"The United States has backed down from its demand that a new UN resolution must authorise military force if Iraq fails to co-operate with UN weapons inspectors, Western diplomats have said." 10-02
- 11-13-02 Iraq Agrees to Weapons Inspectors (CBC News)
"Iraq will comply with the UN Security Council and allow weapons inspectors to return, the country's ambassador to the UN said on Wednesday."
- 11-16-02 Chief UN Inspector Against Use of Spies (BBC News)
"United Nations chief weapons inspector Hans Blix says he cannot rule out the presence of spies in his team due to resume work in Iraq - adding that any intelligence agents will be ordered off the group." "Mr Blix acknowledged that charges of spying had undermined the work of the previous UN inspection regime, known as Unscom."
- 11-18-02 UN Inspectors Arrive in Iraq (CNN News)
"U.N. chief weapons inspector Hans Blix has described the atmosphere in Baghdad as 'tense' as he arrived with a team of assistants to seek any weapons of mass destruction."
- 11-8-02 U.N. Approves US Resolution on Iraq (Bloomberg.com)
 "The United Nations Security Council voted 15-0 to adopt a U.S. resolution demanding that Iraq agree to unrestricted arms inspections, ending a two- month debate over how to rid Saddam Hussein's regime of weapons of mass destruction." "It gives the council a chance to assess the seriousness of any Iraqi violation and to consider how to respond, a concession to France and Russia that means the U.S. wouldn't make that decision alone."
"Hussein is unlikely to allow unfettered inspections, increasing the chances for war, British officials said. Forcing Iraq to give inspectors complete access to palaces and government workers would weaken Hussein's grip on power, making it unlikely he will comply, said the officials, who asked not to be identified."
"Under the resolution, Iraq would be required to give the Security Council a full report of its biological, chemical and nuclear weapons programs 30 days from today. Full inspections, including access to presidential sites suspected of producing weapons of mass destruction, would begin no more than 15 days later and Blix would file a progress report 60 days after that."
"Any Iraqi interference is to be reported to the Security Council, which would ``convene immediately.''
- 11-8-02 U.N. Approves US Resolution on Iraq (CBC News)
"The 15-member council approved the latest version of the resolution after eight weeks of often rancorous debate."
"The resolution was approved by all members of the security council after the U.S. agreed to a change in some wording in the text. It now states the UN must be consulted if Iraq doesn't comply with weapons inspectors. Then the UN will decide what action to take."
"France, China and Russia are calling that concession a victory for the United Nations. French diplomats in particular wanted to shift the balance of power at the UN away from the United States." CBS is a British newspaper.
- 11-8-02 U.N. Resolution on Iraq (CNN)
Provides the text of the U.N. resolution on Iraq regarding U.N. inspections for weapons of mass destruction.
- 12-04-02 U.N. Chief Challenges Bush's Iraq Assessment (Washington Post - Lynch and Allen)
"Secretary General Kofi Annan today challenged the Bush administration's downbeat assessment of weapons inspections underway in Iraq, saying that Iraqi 'cooperation seems to be good' following the inspectors' first week of work."
- 12-06-02 Bush Administration Wants to Interrogate Iraqi Scientists (International Herald Tribune - Tyler)
"The Bush administration has stepped up the pressure on Hans Blix and the UN weapons inspection team to identify key Iraqi weapons scientists and spirit them out of Iraq so they can be offered asylum in exchange for revealing where Saddam Hussein is hiding his weapons of mass destruction, according to administration and UN officials." 12-02
- 12-06-02 U.N. Delays Distribution of Iraqi Declaration (Yahoo News - Leopold)
"U.N. Security Council members decided on Friday to delay distribution of Iraq's mammoth and eagerly awaited declaration of its dangerous weapons programs until U.N. inspectors had a chance to screen it." Iraq has apparently declared that it has no weapons of mass destruction.
"The Bush administration has been laying the groundwork to declare Iraq in 'material breach' of the Nov. 8 [U.N.] resolution, saying they have evidence, which they have not released to inspectors, that Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction. Such a declaration [by Iraq] could lead to war."
"But the resolution makes it clear that any breach would have to be verified by the inspectors, either on the ground or through their own analysis. The Security Council, in adopting a tough resolution, wanted to make sure Washington could not declare a violation by itself and then attack Iraq, claiming U.N. backing."
"The resolution also says that false statements in the declaration have to be coupled with other violations before a new material breach can be declared to the council, which has to assess the information but not necessarily authorize military action."
According to Leopold's analysis, if the Bush administration bombs Iraq because Iraq declares that it has no weapons of mass destruction, then the Bush administration will be in violation of the U.N. resolution.
- 12-06-02 U.N. Inspectors Find Mustard Gas, As Expected (ABC News)
"U.N. inspectors have reported finding a batch of banned weapons in this week's search a dozen artillery shells still filled, as they have been for years, with one of man's most dreaded substances: mustard gas." "The inspectors have said little about the results of their work, but finding the mustard gas was no surprise [since] the shells were located by other inspectors and tagged for destruction years ago."
- 12-06-02 War With Iraq Could Cost Almost $2 Trillion (Yahoo News - McDonough)
"In the worst case, a war with Iraq could cost the United States almost as much as the government spent in the last budget year — nearly $2 trillion, according to new projections."
- 12-08-02 Bush Hawks Seek Excuse for War (Observer - Beaumont, Rose, Vulliamy, and McCarthy )
Observer reporters allege that Bush officials, especially Cheney, are saying that any omissions in the Iraq declarations are grounds for war. However, the British government believes that it "secured from the US in the negotiations for the wording of UN resolution 1441 the agreement that not only would the inspectors report back to the UN, but that it would be the Security Council, not the US, that would be able to declare Iraq in 'material breach' of the resolutuion, thus triggering a war."
"British officials also insist that omissions from the declaration in itself are not enough to trigger war - a view that appeared last week to be supported by Wolfowitz, one of the Pentagon's leading hawks, while visiting London and Nato."
Editor's Note - U.N. resolution 1441 states:
"False statements or omissions in the declarations submitted by Iraq pursuant to this resolution and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and co-operate fully in the implementation of this resolution, shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq's obligations and will be reported to the Council for assessment." 12-02
- 12-10-02 Former President Carter Accepts Nobel Award, With Warning (MSNBC)
"Carter noted his concern that 'for powerful countries to adopt a principle of preventive war may well set an example that can have catastrophic consequences.' " 12-02
- 12-11-02 Bush Administration Threatens to Use Nuclear Retaliation (Fox News)
"The United States is declaring that it will pull out all the stops and use any means necessary — including nuclear weapons — against Iraq or other hostile countries in response to a chemical or biological attack." 12-02
- 12-17-02 Bush Administration Claims No Rush to War (MSNBC)
"Despite U.S. concerns about “omissions” in Iraq’s weapons declaration, the Bush administration said Wednesday there will be no rush to war."
"The strategy gaining most support on Bush’s team is to increase pressure on U.N. weapons inspectors to seek interviews with Iraqi weapons scientists outside of Iraq, a prerogative given to the international body under the resolution."
"Bush believes Saddam will resist such demands, giving the United States a case for 'material breach' that U.S. allies and the American public may find more justified than hastier action, the officials said." 12-02
- 12-20-02 Senator Lott Resigns as Majority Leader (USA Today - Morris)
"A beleaguered Trent Lott stepped aside Friday as Senate Republican leader two weeks after igniting a political firestorm with racially charged remarks, and Tennessee's Bill Frist emerged as his all but certain successor when the GOP takes over the chamber next month." 12-02
- 12-20-02 U.N. Inspectors Demand Bush Give Evidence (Independent - Cornwell and Grice)
"George Bush was under intense pressure yesterday to give UN weapons inspectors intelligence data that the US says proves Iraq is lying when it claims to have given up its weapons of mass destruction."
" 'If the UK and the US are convinced and they say they have evidence, then one would expect they would be able to tell us where is this stuff,' Mr Blix said."
"Mr Blair said Britain would aid the weapons team in its search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. But doubts persist over whether the US and Britain possess the hard evidence they claim to have." 12-02
- 12-25-02 Pope Speaks Against Preventive War (CNN)
"Pope John Paul II used his Christmas Day address to urge the world to avoid war in the Middle East, an apparent reference to the crisis over Iraq."
"His remarks echoed recent comments about Iraq by top Vatican officials, who have reiterated Catholic teaching that 'preventative' war is not justifiable, The Associated Press said."
- 12-26-02 Americans Unconvinced About War (UnitedforPeace.org)
"Despite a concerted effort by the Bush administration, more than two-thirds of Americans believe the president has failed to make the case that a war with Iraq is justified, according to a Los Angeles Times poll." 12-02
- 12-26-02 Scientists in Iraq (BBC News - Westcott)
Describes a few of Hussein's top scientists. "Saddam Hussein's top scientists may hold the key to the secrets of Iraq's weapons programmes, but tracking them down and interviewing them is posing one of the biggest challenges to weapons inspectors." 12-02
- 12-26-02 U.N. Finds No Banned Weapons (BBC News)
"Iraq says that after a month of 'intrusive, extensive and sometimes aggressive' inspections, the United Nations has found no evidence that Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction." 12-02
- 12-28-02 Iraq Gives Inspectors Names of Scientists (BBC)
"The United Nations says Iraq has given it the names of more than 500 scientists connected to its arms programme." (BBC is British and certain words, such as "program," are spelled differently in the United Kingdom compared to the USA.)
- 01-01-03 Cost of War With Iraq (CNN - Bash)
"The White House is downplaying published reports of an estimated $50 billion to $60 billion price tag for a war with Iraq, saying it is 'impossible' to estimate the cost at this time. " 1-03
- 01-01-03 U.N. Chief Says No Case for War (Independent - Osborne and Woolf)
"The White House is downplaying published reports of an estimated $50 billion to $60 billion price tag for a war with Iraq, saying it is 'impossible' to estimate the cost at this time. " 1-03
- 01-11-03 Atomic Agency Challenges Bush's Key Claim Against Iraq (International Herald Tribune)
"The key piece of evidence that President George W. Bush has cited as proof that Saddam Hussein has sought to revive his program to make nuclear weapons has been challenged by the International Atomic Energy Agency."
"But Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, offered a sharply different assessment in a report to the UN Security Council. ElBaradei said Iraqi officials had claimed that they sought the tubes to make 81-mm rockets. ElBaradei indicated that he thought the Iraqi claim was credible." 1-03
- 01-02-03 National Council of Churches Urges Diplomacy (Guardian Unlimited)
"A visiting U.S. church official urged the United States on Thursday to negotiate with Iraq to avert a war that he said would make the United States less secure and increase the risk of terrorism in the Middle East."
"Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches and a former congressman from Pennsylvania, told a news conference that his 13-member delegation expected - on their return to the United States - to meet with Bush administration officials and members of Congress to press for a peaceful solution."
"Edgar and other delegation members said they had found a distressing humanitarian situation during four days of visits to Iraqi hospitals and schools. He said the food ration for Iraqis was inadequate to keep them healthy."
"He said he wanted to make clear the group does not support authoritarian governments and had asked ``pointed questions'' about freedom in Iraq in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz."
"Edgar said a war would harm innocent Iraqis and increase the threat of terrorism aimed at both America and Israel." 1-03
- 01-07-03 No Nuclear Weapons Program Found in Iraq (CNN)
"The U.N. agency searching for evidence of a nuclear weapons program in Iraq said Monday that so far it has not found evidence of one." 1-03
- 01-15-03 Atomic Agency Challenges Bush's Key Claim Against Iraq (CNN)
"The key piece of evidence that President George W. Bush has cited as proof that Saddam Hussein has sought to revive his program to make nuclear weapons has been challenged by the International Atomic Energy Agency."
"But Mohamed ElBaradei, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, offered a sharply different assessment in a report to the UN Security Council. ElBaradei said Iraqi officials had claimed that they sought the tubes to make 81-mm rockets. ElBaradei indicated that he thought the Iraqi claim was credible." 1-03
- 01-30-03 Mandela Harshly Criticizes President Bush on Iraq (CBS News)
"Former South African President Nelson Mandela delivered a fiery speech denouncing the United States and aiming harsh personal criticism at President Bush."
"Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the world's most respected elder statesmen, let the Bush administration have it right between the eyes, reports CBS News Correspondent Tom Fenton."
"Mandela said he would support action against Iraq only if it is ordered by the U.N. He urged the people of the United States to join massive protests against Mr. Bush and called on world leaders, especially those with vetoes in the U.N. Security Council, to oppose him."
" 'What I am condemning is that one power, with a president who has no foresight, who cannot think properly, is now wanting to plunge the world into a holocaust.' "
"Last July, the president awarded Mandela the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation's highest civilian honor — dubbing him 'perhaps the most revered statesman of our time.' " 1-03
- 01-31-03 British Public Against War with Iraq (CNN - Rodgers)
Claims that 75 to 80 percent of the British public is against a pre-emptive attack against Iraq, even though British Prime Minister Tony Blair is supporting President Bush. 1-03
- 01-31-03 Europeans Split on Positions About War With Iraq (Independent News)
"Tony Blair headed for a council of war with George Bush yesterday with the backing of seven European countries but with EU policy towards Iraq disintegrating into bitterness and division." 1-03
- 01-31-03 Turkey Endorses Foreign Troops in Turkey (Guardian Unlimited)
"Turkey's top military and civilian leaders endorsed basing foreign troops in the country, a move that could open the way for American soldiers to use Turkey as a base for military action against Iraq."
However, a bishop from President Bush's church came out against waging war with Iraq. "A bishop of the United Methodist Church, Bush's denomination, appears in a new anti-war ad in which he declares that making war against Iraq 'violates God's law and the teachings of Jesus Christ.' 'Iraq hasn't wronged us. War will only create more terrorists and a more dangerous world for our children,' Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, chief ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Church, says in the 30-second television ad." 1-03
- 02-05-03 U.S. Fails to Convince (MSNBC)
"While supporters of the Bush administration’s hard line on Iraq found U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s address to the U.N. Security Council compelling, there was no indication that it swayed skeptics of the need for military action if Saddam Hussein fails to account for the weapons of mass destruction that Powell charged he is hiding."
"Powell’s presentation received much better marks from U.S. lawmakers and policy shapers. But some said that it still had not persuaded them of the wisdom of military action by the United States and a small number of allies without support from the United Nations." 2-03
- 02-08-03 Military Mobilizes Commercial Aircraft (ABC News - Wolf)
"The Pentagon said on Saturday it was activating a rarely used program that would mobilize scores of U.S. commercial aircraft to meet heightened airlift needs ahead of a possible war with Iraq." 2-03
- 02-08-03 U.N. Chief Warns U.S. - Collective Approach Creates Safety (Bloomberg.com)
"United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the U.S. to show patience in its drive toward war with Iraq, warning that unilateral action may harm overall efforts on terrorism and global disarmament. " 2-03
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