Iraqi Prospect Organisation

News Analysis

By Yasser Alaskary
March 2, 2003

Saddam attempted to create an impression of total cooperation with the UN by first suggesting he would not destroy the banned Al-Samoud missiles and then doing so. The US, UK and Spain all dismissed the move, which was shortly followed by a warning from an unhappy Saddam Hussein.
UK and France agree that a second resolution is not necessary - but for different reasons. Still, the US, UK and Spain unveiled a new Iraq resolution which effectively announces war on Saddam. The US indicates it is confident of passing the resolution but Russia and France threaten to use their veto in an attempt to protect their oil interests with Saddam's regime. Hans Blix, who is due to give the Security Council a potentially crucial report this week, said that Iraq still needs to do more.
Pressure piles on further against Iraq's dictatorship as the Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait call on Saddam to resign and the US tells Iraqis to separate from Saddam. At the same time, strong signs that an uprising will ignite in Iraq once the war on Saddam begins while the US finishes training Iraqi dissidents. US military preparations are put in limbo as Turkey delays vote on US troops.
A petition of over 700 Iraqis was handed in to Downing Street by the IPO calling on the UK to commit to establishing democracy in Iraq after Saddam is ousted. At the same time Bush vows the US will liberate Iraqis of Saddam and help establish a democratic system.