Blix sees monitors' role for U.N. in post-war Iraq

Reuters | 3/28/03

[kattracks]

Blix sees monitors' role for U.N. in post-war Iraq

BERLIN, March 28 (Reuters) - Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Friday his team was willing to go back into Iraq after the war is over to verify independently whether Baghdad holds banned weapons of mass destruction.

"The Americans and the British could be interested in independent verification. Although naturally we would receive our mandate from the U.N. Security Council, not from Washington," Blix said in an interview with German television.

"We ourselves are interested in seeing if the reason for this war -- the presumption that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction -- is justified or not," Blix said.

Blix's inspectors were pulled out this month before they could complete their search for banned chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, after the United States and Britain notified the United Nations of an impending attack on Iraq.

They had returned to Iraq last November after a four-year hiatus. The Security Council ordered Iraq to destroy any weapons of mass destruction after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The United States has not ruled out some role for U.N. inspectors, if they are needed to convince the world that Washington has not rigged up false evidence of banned weapons to support its long-standing allegations.

Some experts say a dispute is brewing between Britain, which believes U.N. inspectors would give credibility to the hunt for banned weapons, and the United States, which has doubts about ceding control to the world body.

Last week Blix expressed pessimism about a future role in Iraq for his inspection team, saying he had not heard from the United States on the subject.

Blix also reiterated that he doubted Iraq would use chemical or biological weapons against U.S.-led forces because it would turn world opinion against Baghdad.

"I can only speculate but my opinion is he won't use them, even if he has them," he said. "There are a lot of war sceptics around the world. But if he uses chemical weapons, he would lose sympathy. Many people would say the war is justified."

Asked if he thought he could have made any significant discoveries if he had had more time, Blix said: "I don't know if we would have found out the truth. Three and a half months was a bit short. There was a chance to resolve this peacefully."

03/28/03 06:09 ET

[billorites]

"Blix expressed pessimism about a future role in Iraq for his inspection team, saying he had not heard from the United States"

Hans, sit by the phone. We'll get back to you.

[The Other Harry]

Methinks Hans should trot his butt down to the local WalMarts and pick himself up a job application.

[Sunnyvale CA Eng.]

Sure, let's give them a part of the cleanup. They can search for land mines with a sand wedge.

[IoCaster]

Heh....these UN/EU scum are getting desperate.

*snicker*

[G.Mason]

"The Americans and the British could be interested in independent verification. Although naturally we would receive our mandate from the U.N. Security Council, not from Washington," Blix said in an interview with German television.

Another of the millions of Euro-weenies that just don't get it.

By the way....what is this U.N. they keep referring too?

Oh..yes..I remember. They were a defunct organization like that other one called the League of Nations.

As "billorites" said......"Hans, sit by the phone. We'll get back to you".

[Core_Conservative]

Blix "Please keep my job - I don't know what else I'd do!" </invalid quote off

[dennisw]

Send back the UN inspectors right now! Tommy Franks can tell Blix right where the chem. weapons have been moved to, to be fired at Allied forces.

[najida]

I just heard on the news and his contract is up in June. He won't be renewing. Gee, I wonder why?
SNARK!

[dmcg_98]

Can you imagine a person of a different industry (equal performance history) applying for a job?? They wouldn't get a 1st interview! lol

[grumple]

fuQ bliQs

[pitinkie]

He can work at the local 7-11. fit right in.

[Moby Grape]

Yes, Hans "Mr. Magoo" Blix, perhaps there will be a need for REAL monitors...but God knows the world does not need your little band of "Hear No Evil, See No Evil" useful idiots.

[Right_in_Virginia]

"The Americans and the British could be interested in independent verification. Although naturally we would receive our mandate from the U.N. Security Council, not from Washington,"

You can count on two vetoes.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

This Blix dude just doesnt get it....

[YOMO]

"Blix expressed pessimism about a future role in Iraq for his inspection team, saying he had not heard from the United States"..............................................
............................................................

I must be turning into a UN Supporter, that is the second thing I agree with HANS in two days. The first is that he is done in June.

[Salman]

Trixi Blixi should stixi to what he's good at.

Ultimate Hans Blix Fan Page: Rally Racing

Blix's 1978 Volvo
(Really! No photoshop here!)

[Hooodahell]

A story that has 'Blix' and 'sees' in the same headline. Is Reuters poking fun?

[bmwcyle]

It is time to do to Blix what Washington did to the Germans in NJ.

[VRWC_minion]

Translation: "Hey Bush, I'm a whore who is avaliable to the highest bidder.", Blix said.