Once again, Saddam Hussein is testing the resolve of the United Nations Security Council. On Tuesday, Iraqi officials blocked a UN inspection team led by American Scott Ritter from entering sites suspected of housing weapons of mass destruction. While other UN teams were permitted to work, the Iraqis alleged that Ritter’s group could not be trusted to be fair because it included too many Americans and Britons.
As usual, it was impossible to know precisely what motivated the Iraqi action–the composition of the barred inspection team or the sites it was preparing to visit. Although Baghdad backed down from its earlier insistence that no Americans be assigned to the UN teams, it continues to deny inspectors access to dozens of sites where they believe chemical and germ weapons could be manufactured or stockpiled.
What is unmistakably clear, however, is the need for Security Council members to form a united front against this latest outrage by Hussein, which is aimed at softening–and ultimately shattering–the UN commitment to destroy Iraq’s capacity to produce, store and deliver weapons of mass destruction. That goal was established by the Gulf War cease-fire, and it would be madness not to finish the job.
In the past, the mere hint of disarray in the Security Council has encouraged Hussein to be more daring and defiant. That’s why council members must close ranks and act quickly to convince him he has made another dangerous miscalculation. Hussein has no right to dictate the makeup of UN inspection teams or deny them access to any facilities, and the council should tell him so in no uncertain terms.
Last fall, when Iraq interfered with weapons inspectors, some council members were loath to support reprisals. A repeat of that shameful performance will have Hussein thumping his chest again, and what is still a minor confrontation could escalate into a full-scale crisis. Of particular importance will be the reaction of France and Russia, whom Hussein rightly views as the weakest links in the international coalition arrayed against him.
The Clinton administration wisely favors a multinational solution to the latest showdown. But as it did last fall, it won’t rule out the unilateral use of force against Iraq if other countries don’t pull their weight. It should be clear to everyone by now that Hussein responds only when under the gun.
An assault on Iraq must be the final option. If the Security Council successfully meets the challenge, that option should never have to be implemented.
