[justshutupandtakeit]

The really interesting question is why would he not come clean and allow the UN to do its job when defiance cost him 20 billion a yr in lost oil revenues? This has totalled over 200 billion during the period of sanctions.

If he had no weapons why on earth would he have foregone such wealth? This, to me, is the strongest proof that he did, indeed, have these weapons.

[Dave S]

If he had no weapons why on earth would he have foregone such wealth? This, to me, is the strongest proof that he did, indeed, have these weapons.

Everything in Iraq revolved around Saddam and his needs and desires. Saddam had more money than he could spend. He didnt need the extra oil revenue. He did need the fear that he thought WMD generated so that he could continue in power. He also couldnt afford to look weak to his people by backing down to the west and letting the inspectors in.