The OTHER Inspection Team [DEBKA]

DEBKA ^ | 12/07/2002 | DEBKA

[Publius Maximus]

Because DEBKA is not wrong nearly as often as its loudest critics on this forum claim, I figured this was newsworthy. Since it just came out this morning, I consider it breaking. Whether it is in fact true I have no idea, but I figure FReepers can decide that for themselves.

[Cicero]

Well, for one thing, Blix was reported to have announced yesterday that he would not turn over the Iraqi report to the United States until he felt like it, and that he might edit it first.

If Saddam really has dumped the full report on the media before giving it to Blix, as Debka asserts, then that makes Blix's insolent announcement moot, because presumably the US could easily get a copy.

Of course maybe the press will now refuse to hand over a copy as well, claiming media privilege, which would be interesting. In the whole scheme of things it doesn't really matter, however, since Bush is unlikely to let these petty games disrupt his timetable.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

I have one word for Debka: SHHHHH!

[Publius Maximus]

Actually I have a theory why the final version will be redacted and why we agreed to it.

Saddam likely included information about all the companies and countries worldwide that helped it with its original weapons programs. Once this was known, of course the entire security council agreed to redact the final copy, since it would be embarrassing to every country on the council.

I also expect Saddam to announce an apology to the people of Kuwait - yet another PR coup for the wiley old dictator. Such a move would be well-recieved in the Arab world, at all events. This part is just speculation on my part, we'll find out in about an hour or so.

I wonder if we've been out-stategerized? I hope not, and I doubt it, but between the keystone inspectors, news of the redaction of the final declaration, and the silliness of the whole process right now, unless GWB comes out and completely renigs on whatever commitments he made to the U.N. (and I'm sure he did make some; it cost us something to get the unanimous approval of the otherwise hostile/lukewarm council), I don't see where we go from here.

Unless of course there is a kernel of truth in the Debka report...

[George from New England]

Loose lips sink ships.

Above copied from the posting form.

[dennisw]

I would say this is half true and more than good enough to make an end run past Kofi Annan, past the UN, past Blix and his merry band.

UN! No 1.5 billion in renovation money for you!

[blam]

"UN! No 1.5 billion in renovation money for you!"

Nah, they'll get it. No-one cares, hell it's just your money.

[Angel]

Saddam likely included information about all the companies and countries worldwide that helped it with its original weapons programs. Once this was known, of course the entire security council agreed to redact the final copy, since it would be embarrassing to every country on the council.

That is a very interesting take. There has been a lot of speculation that many contries (like Russia and China) don't want to go to war because of their trading with Iraq. I bet there are more countries that have given Iraq help with their weapons program.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

I don't know about DEBKA's reliability, but just given what is open-sourced, this is probably as close a guess as any as to what is actually going on. It will not turn out to be exactly like this (if the true story ever comes out at all), but it's probably close enough for darts or horseshoes.

[Publius Maximus]

I also expect Saddam to announce an apology to the people of Kuwait - yet another PR coup for the wiley old dictator. Such a move would be well-recieved in the Arab world, at all events. This part is just speculation on my part, we'll find out in about an hour or so.

Wow, I was right. How about that!

[knak]

france

[Amerigomag]

Unless of course there is a kernel of truth in the Debka report...

There is a kernel of truth.

History reveals I'm no DEBKA fan but they have got this one right. Scattered stories (not US press) have been appearing for months about these operations.

[Publius Maximus]

History reveals I'm no DEBKA fan but they have got this one right. Scattered stories (not US press) have been appearing for months about these operations.

Riddle me this, then: Wouldn't Saddam have some clue about this, and wouldn't he be screaming bloody 'ell over invasion of his territory, sovereignty, etc.? That's the part I don't get.

How wouldn't everybody know about it?

[Timesink]

The 11,880 pages on CD-Rom, landing with a thud in Baghdad...

If the CD-ROM doesn't run on a Mac, I consider that a material breach.

[txhurl]

Did you expect Kuwait to say 'yeah right' so soon, too?

I'm with you, now completely clueless on the timetable.

The scenario posted on this thread scarily, to me, sort of explains any pussy-footing.

To: Travis McGee

The fact Bush may invade Iraq underscores the magnitude of the risk of an imminent CBN [chemical, bio, nuke] attack in the U.S. Politically, there's nothing in a war for the Administration. Sure, winning would be nice, but any outcome less out-sided than the Gulf War would mean the end of Bush's career. Folks like Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and Rice are desperate because they know slightly more than the average citizen. Nobody can imagine what an unconventional attack would be like, but conservatives can imagine it more readily than the left. After such an attack, America would recall September 11 with nostalgia. Imagine "only" 3,000 people killed and $50 billion in property damage in one day. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

90 posted on 12/07/2002 4:09 PM CST by Man of the Right

[Amerigomag]

Wouldn't Saddam have some clue about this

Probably the first thought that crossed his mind but when he sent his boys into the desert they didn't come back.

That's when he announced his "new" plan to defend the cities with hand-to-hand tactics and pulled all his troops back to Bagdad. Remember?

[MHGinTN]

I do not believe there's an inspection team in the field in Iraq with helicopters buzzing about under Saddam Insane's nose. But it won't be long until there will be quite a few buzzing over his soon to be removed head.

[Morrigan]

A couple of things I find interesting about the declaration: If Blix plans on hiding some things from the council, there's a problem. There is obviously a few things that some do not want the United States to find out about.

And, here's another thing. Iraq was complaining about the impossibility of completing the declaration in the short time he was given. Yet, somehow, his people were able to compile a document of over eleven thousand words in that time??

Something stinks.

[scannell]

Of course maybe the press will now refuse to hand over a copy as well, claiming media privilege, which would be interesting.

I guess if the Special Forces could snatch the evidence and the Iraqi personnel, it would be no problem to snatch the documents from the Associated Press or Helen (BattleAx) Thomas.

[FreedomFlyer]

I've been reading Debka more. They've been right a lot lately. But you never know. This is reassuring.