Hans Blix yesterday hailed as significant a promise by Iraq to destroy its illegal Samoud 2 missiles.
It amounted to the UN chief weapons inspector’s most positive comment since his inspectors began work in December. Iraqi sources in Baghdad insisted the destruction would begin today.
The cutting-up or crushing of the missiles in front of TV cameras would amount to a propaganda coup for Iraq. It would reinforce France, Germany, and others on the UN security council opposed to the US drive for early military action. ”This is a very significant piece of real disarmament,” Blix said.
His endorsement contrasted with the scepticism of the US and British governments, which maintained the concession fell far short of full compliance with UN disarmament demands.
Blix has set a deadline of midnight tonight for Iraq to begin destroying the missiles.
Iraq, while protesting such action was unnecessary, agreed in a letter to Blix on Thursday that ”in principle” it would destroy them. General Amir al-Sadi, an adviser to Saddam Hussein, said in the letter: ”The decision to destroy was unjust and did not take into consideration the scientific facts. The timing of this request seems to us to be one with political aims.”
Blix sent a reply to Baghdad yesterday seeking clarification on how the destruction would be done and when. His deputy, Demetrius Perricos, plans to meet Iraqi officials this morning for ”a technical discussion” on the missiles, with a view to starting destruction today, the inspectors’ representative, Hiro Ueki, said.
The French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, who favours giving the inspectors more time, said the concession vindicated the argument put forward by France. ”It is an important step in the process of the peaceful disarmament of Iraq,” he said. ”It confirms inspectors are getting results.” France ”finds itself comforted”, he added, by President Saddam’s decision to comply.
Blix ordered the destruction after his inspectors established that tests of the missile showed it breached the 150km range limit imposed by the UN after the Gulf war. UN officials and diplomats had expected the decision for days, arguing that any Iraqi refusal would trigger war.
Blix is due to deliver his report to the security council on Friday. If Iraq makes further concessions by then, such as letting its scientists hold private interviews with inspectors, they could well colour his report in favour of Iraq.
In Baghdad there was pessimism as to whether the decision would prevent war. Among customers in Baghdad’s cafes, who whiled away the weekly holiday yesterday with tea and backgammon, Iraq’s act of acquiescence was seen as futile. ”Destroying the Samoud won’t help, because America has made up its mind for war,” said Kanaan Saleh, a middle-aged engineer. ”If I were the president, I would have said no.”
Across the backgammon board, his opponent, Omeid Ismail, agreed, saying the missiles were now more essential than ever to Iraq’s security. ”Every petroleum-producing country needs weapons to defend itself, because there are many greedy countries around.”
Others hoped Baghdad’s compliance was merely a ruse. Mohammed al-Ani, a geography lecturer, said: ”Maybe they are not really destroying the missiles, maybe they are trying to buy time just to help with world public opinion.”
US B-2 stealth bombers have been ordered to Fairford in Gloucestershire, and Diego Garcia in the Indian ocean. B-52 bombers are also likely to fly from the two British bases.
The bat-shaped B-2s, armed with hi-tech weaponry, are expected to play a major role in the first strikes in any war. – Guardian Unlimited Â