File spoon-archives/heidegger.archive/heidegger_2003/heidegger.0302, message 41


Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:32:48 +0100
From: Jan Straathof <janstr-AT-chan.nl>
Subject: Re: soliloquy


Anthony, you asked:

>1. Do you know the explicit content of United Nations resolution 1441?

Well, yeh, i've read about it in the papers. It's one of those resolution
that actually *is* enforced by the UNSC, giving a go to the UNMOVIC
and the IAEA to look for proof of (presence, production or whatever)
WMD in Iraq, and if found, that Iraq will face serious consequences.

I confess i'm not acquainted with the explicit content of it, but if there
are important details you want me to pay attention to, please notify,
and i will visit the UN website.

>2. Do you agree that Saddam Hussein is in material breach of that
>resolution?

Based on the current 'fresh' evidence, i don't agree. Blix and El-Baradei
have found no compelling evidence (yet) and said they have seen nothing
to prompt a war. Powell's presentation imho was just a silly media show,
(as probably Iraq's reply will be too) but OK, these 'facts' will have to be
examined carefully, yet it's much to early to valuate it as "quite damning".

There is no evidence nor reason to believe that Iraq possesses nuclear
weapons (or has ties with Al-Qaida), and everybody knows that at the
present time the Iraqi army is one of the weakest in the Middle East
region. From all corners of the (intelligence) world we hear that Iraq
presents no immediate threat to anyone, and even the CIA and FBI
maintain that Iraq does not pose a terrorist threat to the US, although
it might, the CIA warns, if it launches an attack on Iraq.

I do agree with Joschka Fischer that we must continue to seek a peaceful
solution and that the UN weapons inspectors should be given more time
and resources to do their work. Fabricating a casus belli on some flimsy
evidence, as the hawks in the US, UK but also here in Holland are trying
to do, is a bad omen. But let me end with two 'simple' questions too:

1. Do you think the war with Iraq is inevitable ?

2. And if so, what good will come of it ?

yours,
Jan




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