How to Win Without War (stupid ideas from leftists)

Win Without War website ^ | ?

[neefer]

We can disarm and contain Saddam Hussein. There are a number of effective alternatives to war. Supporting the current UN disarmament mission in Iraq is critical. The U.S. initiative to win UN support for tougher weapons inspections is succeeding, and has created an ongoing monitoring system that increases the transparency of Iraq’s weapons complex. The presence of UN weapons inspectors serves as a deterrent to Iraq’s development or use of weapons of mass destruction. If Iraq does not volunteer all the documentation required by the UN, coercive pressure can be maintained through non-military means. We can improve the current containment of Iraq’s military potential by strengthening controls on Iraqi oil exports and tightening prohibitions on military imports.

These goals can be achieved through the following means:

• Border monitoring in Jordan, Syria and Turkey should be significantly strengthened through the deployment of an adequately funded, well-equipped, and professionally trained force of international inspectors.
  
  
• Advanced X-ray-scanning technology and an electronic pass system would enable border monitors to inspect containers and trucks quickly and non-intrusively. The model for such a system is the “smart border” program now being established the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, which enables inspections of 1 container per minute.
  
  
• Sanctions assistance missions (SAMs), modeled on operations developed for UN sanctions in Yugoslavia in 1993-95, would enable the UN Security Council to establish an externally based mechanism for enhancing the effectiveness of military sanctions. While no monitoring program can eliminate smuggling completely, the proposed system would make illegal arms shipments more difficult and costly.
  
  
• Political assurances and economic incentives to neighboring states should be offered in order to gain cooperation for border controls and assistance missions. By building upon political openings in the region, the U.S. could forge a concerted diplomatic effort and build a cooperative border-monitoring system that would prevent Iraq from developing weapons of mass destruction and help prevent terrorism.
  
  
• Improving cargo monitoring at the port of Aqaba, Jordan, where much of the seagoing cargo to Iraq is shipped, would decrease the smuggling of weapons-related goods. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) recently unveiled a new pilot program to improve cargo security in the Port of New York and New Jersey. This system, which features large-scale x-ray equipment and chemical sensors, could be applied to Aqaba and other locations.
  
  
• Creating a green list of approved oil companies to purchase Iraqi oil would help to cut out disreputable firms that provide kickbacks to Saddam Hussein.
  
  
• Requiring audited financial reports from oil purchasers would verify that green list companies are not paying kickbacks or fees to Baghdad. Controlling or shutting down the Syria-Iraq pipeline would help stop the illegal shipment of oil outside the system of UN financial controls. This is a gaping hole in the sanctions net and a major source of unrestricted revenue for the Baghdad government.
  
  
• Exposing and penalizing arms embargo violations would help prevent illegal shipments to Iraq. Increased cooperation between the U.S. and Russia could be help in this effort. The UN Security Council should create a special investigative panel that documents cases of smuggling and recommend actions that could be taken to halt such violations.

When copying or distributing this document, please include the source: Win Without War.

[neefer]

Aren't these ideas a little expensive? The green list idea is funny. Establishing an oil industry auditing plan in Iraq will be a piece of cake!

[Cicero]

Maybe they should just give Saddam a kiss.

[shadowman99]

"Exposing and penalizing arms embargo violations would help prevent illegal shipments to Iraq. Increased cooperation between the U.S. and Russia could be help in this effort. The UN Security Council should create a special investigative panel that documents cases of smuggling and recommend actions that could be taken to halt such violations"

Well, being that the US is the only country that abided by the UN embargos imposed in '91, you can get ready to write a lot of tickets on this one. Mostly in French.

[Blood of Tyrants]

What about the border with Iran?

[neefer]

Minor detail. They'll get to them later.

[keithtoo]

[pankot]

I got a better one: Let's all stand up and go "shame, shame".

[biblewonk]

My ultra liberal 7th grade teacher, about 27 years ago, actually said that the best thing to do is meet them on the beach naked with tea. No one could ever fight a war against a bunch of naked people on a beach. Ofcourse to a teen guy full of hormones I didn't get much more out of the day as I was sent on a wild fantacy(sp). I guess that describes most liberal thoughts on war.

[axxmann]

So they want to monitor Iraq's borders, but don't want to "monitor" ours? Huh?

[dead]

• Blow the son-of-a-bitches up. Accurately dropped explosives could separate Iraqi skin from the soldiers' bones and neutralize much of the military threat presented by French-supplied weapons of mass destruction.
  

[Blue Scourge]

1. Border monitoring in Jordan, Syria and Turkey -

Yeah, those countries really hate Saddam and are willing to risk themselves to stop him, and what about Iran?

2. Advanced X-ray-scanning technology and an electronic pass system

And these would be in place at ever possible place someone could cross the border?

3. Sanctions assistance missions (SAMs).

That will work REAL well with France, Germany, and Russia all on the current Security Council.

4. Political assurances and economic incentives

yup, and when the price gets more and more expensive, who will the UN turn to to foot the bill, if these people think War is expensive...

Improving cargo monitoring at the port of Aqaba, Jordan,

who will monitor it, I doubt highly they would allow US or UK advisors to monitor it.

1. Creating a green list of approved oil companies to purchase Iraqi oil would help to cut out disreputable firms that provide kickbacks to Saddam Hussein.

Lol, once again, try getting that passed France, Germany, and Russia...

Requiring audited financial reports from oil purchasers would verify that green list companies are not paying kickbacks or fees to Baghdad. Controlling or shutting down the Syria-Iraq pipeline would help stop the illegal shipment of oil outside the system of UN financial controls. This is a gaping hole in the sanctions net and a major source of unrestricted revenue for the Baghdad government.

same question as before, who is going to check and make sure that these companies are keeping straight..?

Exposing and penalizing arms embargo violations would help prevent illegal shipments to Iraq. Increased cooperation between the U.S. and Russia could be help in this effort. The UN Security Council should create a special investigative panel that documents cases of smuggling and recommend actions that could be taken to halt such violations

It would be great if it worked that way, but 3 of the current Security Council members have lucrative oil deals with Saddam already...