[jimbob]

Mephisto:

The answer to your questions are from my perspective certainly no... ...[but] Can anyone honestly believe that giving the UN just a bit more time would have meant any harm to the cause?

It could have. It would have pushed the potential fight into summer, which would make the troop movements more difficult in that part of the world (or so I am told, never having been there in summer.. or at all for that matter ). As Geo stated, it's likely that this would have left the threat of force somewhat impotent.

The real threat to me however was the incredible cost of having troops sit for extended periods of time. My friend, Basam, who has lived in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is of the opinion that the Kuwaitis would have gladly paid the US forces upkeep costs. If this is so, then I would definitely change my opinion - yes, the USA should have waited. Now that's a pretty big should! I've not seen any reports of Kuwaiti willingness to pay these costs.

Primitive:

The amount of time that was reasonable would be the excact amount of time the people conducting the investigation (Blix & Co.) thougth they would need. If GWB was unwilling to give this time, why bother with inspections in the first place?

Okay, I've thought on this. Yes, GWB should be willing to give Blix & Co. enough time to complete the inspections. However compliance did not really occur until threat of force was apparent.

If we assume that the positioning and maintenance of "the threat" costs nothing then yes, the USA and UK should have waited for Blix and crew to do their job, that is, give enough time for the job to be done.

If we assume that the positioning and maintenance of "the threat" will cost the USA a whole bundle of cash while other UN security members sit on their duffs, then no, the USA and UK should not have to wait and pay infinitum. If they are the only ones making the Iraqi government cooperate, then they should be allowed to set the expectations.

Finally, Blix is correct that it will take months with full cooperation to complete his job but they had months in which to complete it during which Sadam & Co. did not cooperate. However it was Sadam who did not cooperate, so that is Sadams' "lost time". I don't think that somebody else should have to waste their precious time when Sadam came to the "cooperating table" months, if not years late!

[ March 27, 2003, 20:12: Message edited by: jimbob ]