[Mo1]

That, Blix explained to Rather, could be dangerous for the U.N personnel, since Iraqi craft operating in no-fly zones could be shot at.
As a result, Blix said, the inspection was cancelled.

What a load of BS .. something tell me that we would NOT shot down a UN helicopters

[Bogey78O]

No but they might get a stray round from flying near Irqi aircraft.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I know I dont' speak for anyone else, but given half a chance, I think I would... ;0)

[cynwoody]

something tell me that we would NOT shot down a UN helicopters

Um, from fas.org:

14 April 1994 - A pair of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were shot down by 2 US Air Force F-15's flying out of Incirlik, Turkey. The F-15s misidentified the Black Hawks as Iraqi Hinds violating the "no fly" zone. All 6 crewmena aboard the helicopters were killed, along with 20 passengers, including UN observers in the Provide Comfort Zone and military officers from Britain, France and Turkey. An internal Department of Defense investigation into this friendly-fire accident was concluded on May 27, 1994. The helicopter crew members were apparently not aware of the correct transponder codes used to identify friendly aircraft for use within the area. Air Force leveled charges against six of the officers involved in the accident, including one of the F-15 pilots who mistakenly identified the Black Hawks as enemy aircraft. The Air Force later dropped charges against everyone except Captain Jim Wang, who had been in charge of the Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft monitoring both the fighters and helicopters in the "no fly" area. Captain Wang, senior director on board the E-3B AWACS aircraft, was charged on 31 August 1994, with five counts of dereliction of duty, and was acquitted at a court-martial of three counts of dereliction of duty 20 June 1995. Following an extensive aircraft accident investigation, the publication of a 24-volume report and a detailed multi-command review of procedures and policies, Air Force implemented a number of specific actions to preclude similar incidents in the future.

Obviously, Blix's worries are understandable, and the Iraqis know it and are attempting to exert a chilling effect on the inspection process by playing upon the inspectors' fears (not to mention eliminating the element of surprise that the UN helicopters would otherwise have). That in itself amounts to a "material breach".

[Boundless]

> .. something tell me that we would NOT shot down a UN helicopter

Apart from the historical fact that it has already happened once...

The purpose of the Iraqi choppers is not to draw fire, but more likely shoot down the UN chopper (with sidearms if need be) if it approaches certain areas that contain "material breach" evidence that even Blix couldn't rationalize away.

Reportedly, there was an Iraqi on board one of the final UN heli-inspections of the early 90s, and he lunged at the controls when it appeared that the chopper was headed for a hot spot.

The Iraqis will not allow any real discoveries if they can avoid them. If one is imminent, they'll deny entry, and the game will be over, just like last time. That day is inevitable, but the longer they can postpone it, the more time they have for whatever it is they're up to.

Blix doubtless knows all this, but prefered to put a different spin on the reasons for declining the honor of an airborne escort.

The UN guys are just "verifiers", not "investigators". And it sure as hell isn't their job to fire, or take, the first shot in whatever conflict may be around the corner.

What matters is that an inspection didn't happen, due to Iraqi interference. The cover story for "why" doesn't really matter that much.