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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.

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...

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.