Let UN In Or Else, Bush Critic Warns Baghdad (Scott Ritter)

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 9-9-2002 | Amberin Zaman

[blam]

Let UN in or else, Bush critic warns Baghdad

By Amberin Zaman in Baghdad
(Filed: 09/09/2002)

Scott Ritter, the former chief UN weapons inspector who has long argued against war on Iraq, stunned Baghdad yesterday with a demand that inspection teams be allowed back immediately and unconditionally.

In an emotional speech to members of the Iraqi National Assembly Mr Ritter said this was the only way to avoid another war with America.

Appeal: Scott Ritter addresses the Iraqi National Assembly

"Let me be very clear, the only path towards peace is one that begins with Iraq agreeing to the immediate unconditional return of United Nations weapons inspectors," Mr Ritter told them.

"Iraq cannot attempt to link the return of weapons inspectors to any other issues regardless of justification. Unconditional return, unfettered access, this is the only acceptable option."

UN inspection teams left Iraq in December 1998, complaining of Iraqi non-compliance with them, shortly before a British-American bombing campaign began.

The inspectors have not been allowed back since then, with Baghdad claiming that they are spies. Mr Ritter resigned his post four years ago and has become a vocal critic of American policy on Iraq, saying the inspectors were used for espionage. He arrived in Baghdad at the weekend for a two-day visit.

Saddam Hussein's regime clearly hoped that the former US marine's presence in their capital would provide them with a public relations triumph.

In the event, at the end of his speech, the assembly members did not even applaud, a sure sign that they were not at all pleased with what he had told them.

The parliamentarians, an exotic mix of men in flowing gowns and elaborate turbans and brightly dressed women, listened with rapt attention as Mr Ritter prefaced his appeal for the return of the inspectors with a stinging attack against the Bush administration's plans to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

"The rhetoric of fear that is being disseminated by my government has not to date been backed up by hard facts that substantiate allegations that Iraq today is in the possession of weapons of mass destruction or has links to terror groups responsible for attacking the United States.

"It is impossible to come up with any scenario today that would justify military action against Iraq based upon its current behaviour."

In the face of evidence to the contrary, he said, he would be the first to enlist in a war against Iraq, saying he loved America "more than I love Iraq". Mr Ritter argued that Iraq had to allow the weapons inspectors back in if only to prove that the Bush administration was misinforming the US public.

Mr Ritter explained that the September 11 terrorist attacks had played a large part in exacerbating such fears among the American people. "Let the United States know that Iraq has the greatest sympathy for the suffering felt by those who lost their loved ones on September 11."

Taha Yassin Ramadan, the Iraqi vice-president, appeared unswayed by Mr Ritter's appeal.

Asked about the possibility of a US attack against his country, Mr Ramadan claimed that the Arab world and other countries would rush to Iraq's defence.

Mr Ritter, on the other hand, told The Telegraph that he believed Baghdad would back down. "Iraq has no other choice," he said.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Mr Ramadan claimed that the Arab world and other countries would rush to Iraq's defence.

Good. It would be better to take care of our enemies now and get it over with.

[sinkspur]

Asked about the possibility of a US attack against his country, Mr Ramadan claimed that the Arab world and other countries would rush to Iraq's defence.

"The Arab street." The most invoked, and seldom seen, presence after bombing starts.

No, Mr. Ramadan, you'll be on your own, and the Arab world will applaud when Hussein assumes room temperature.

[blam]

"Good. It would be better to take care of our enemies now and get it over with."

I sure would have like to have been (it's all done by now) in the 'war gaming' sessions down in Tampa preparing for this.

"What happens if Iran starts shooting as us? Syria? Egypt?...all?"

Just like Boyscouts=Be Prepared.

[cp124]

Keep Ritter Saddam. He will feed you Viagra and be your mistress.

[Skwidd]

Let UN in or else...

Or else what? You'll warn them again? As my grandfather used to say, "sh*t or get off the pot."

[dead]

"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
- Saddam

[Cindy]

A Reminder:

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Article III: Section 3: "Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court..

"The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted."

Links of Interest:

Opinion.TELEGRAPH.co.uk - TELEGRAPH NEWS: "LONDON TO HOST ISLAMIC 'CELEBRATION' OF SEPTEMBER 11" by Thair Shaikh (090802)

News.TELEGRAPH.co.uk: "MUSLIM RADICALS IN BRITAIN ISSUE 'HOLY WAR' WARNING" by Anton La Guardia (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Radical Islamic leaders in London issued a thinly-veiled threat yesterday that the United States and Britain could face a terrorist onslaught akin to the September 11 attacks if they go to war on Iraq.") (081402)

MENA REPORT.com - MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA BUSINESS REPORT: "IRAQ TO LAUNCH TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE" (090802)

CBN.com: "STRIKING SADDAM: ENDING A TYRANT'S NUCLEAR QUEST" by George Thomas (090802)

NY POST.com: "IRAQ NUKE SITES UP & ATOM AGAIN" (090702)

GLOBAL SECURITY.org: "PUBLIC EYE PICTURE OF THE WEEK - 2002"

IRAQ WATCH.org: "BULLETIN"

FOX NEWS.com: "NEW INTELLIGENCE EXPOSES IRAQ'S NUKE PUSH" by Carl Cameron (090602)

BBC News: "IRAQI AIR DEFENSE SITE ATTACKED" (090602)

THE LIVE WIRE: "RESOLVING OUR INDIFFERENCE OVER IRAQ" -Commentary by Gregory J. Rummo

DAILY STAR.com.lb - LEBANESE NEWS: IRAQI MINISTER TO VISIT FOR TALKS ON TRANSPORT COOPERATION" (090702)

DAILY STAR.com.lb - LEBANESE NEWS: "LEBANESE DESK WILL BE BIGGEST AT BAGHDAD TRADE FAIR" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Earlier this year, Lebanon signed a long-awaited trade agreement with Iraq that will allow Lebanon to increase its exports to its former No. 1 trading partner. According to the agreement, all Lebanese-made goods will enter the Iraqi market duty-free. Syria, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey have already signed similar trade deals with Iraq.") (090502)

MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE: "IRAQ NEWS WIRE No. 8" (090102)

WORLD TRIBUNE.com: "BOLTON: IRAQ, CUBA SEEK MATERIALS BANNED BY BIO WEAPONS PACT" (090202)

WASHINGTON POST.com: "FUGITIVES SOUGHT BY U.S. FIND A PROTECTOR IN CUBA" (090202)

[piasa]

This is getting downright interesting.

Very interesting.

[finnman69]

"C'mere Scott. Bend over for me bitch"

[anymouse]

Hopefully President Bush has ordered INS to detain Mr. Ritter when he attempts to return to the U.S. INS should confiscate his passport and deport him to Iraq.

Mr. Ritter had better hope that he can find a way to escape Iraq before our troops find him.

[finnman69]

Why don't you go hang you with that traitor Ritter. Or better yet go hang in DUmmyland since he is the new Joan of Arc for the liberal morons.

[anymouse]

Ritter is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Frankly he deserves to be hung. But politically it would be unwise to apprehend him and send him to Levenworth.

By merely stripping him of his US passport and deporting him back to Iraq, it would have minimal political backlash.

He knew the hazards of going to Iraq on his own. Let him live with the consequences.

Whatever his past military career, he has obviously chosen to work against U.S. interests now. I really don't care why. Let him rot in the streets of Baghdad.

[litany_of_lies]

This is an obviously transparent orchestration, designed so that Saddam can say "OK, Scott, you're right, I'll let the inspectors in." Then Ritter's so-called "moral authority" will be invoked to urge the US to back off, and if we do, Ritter will gain hosannahs as a peacemaker.

GMAFB--All I see are reasons to go in SOONER, not later.

[BulletBrasDotNet]

"Ritter is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Frankly he deserves to be hung."

Men, and pictures are "hung." People are "hanged" by the neck until dead. Sorry, couldn't resist... but true grammar.... heheheh.

[litany_of_lies]

"Scott Ritter, the former chief UN weapons inspector who has long argued against war on Iraq, stunned Baghdad yesterday with a demand that inspection teams be allowed back immediately and unconditionally. "

Translation: My checks from Saddam haven't cleared yet.

[CatoRenasci]

I have been as critical of Ritter as anyone, but this speech seems to me not to be treasonous. He may have been bought, but it's not clear he's stayed bought: he says the evidence doesn't justify an attack - I think he's wrong, but it's not an insane view. He says Iraq should let the UN inspectors back in unconditionally and that that would be the only way to avoid war -- that's surely true, if the inspectors came back with truly free run, we'd give them some time. Ritter also says even though he disagrees with the policy he'd be the first to enlist in a war against Iraq, saying he loved America "more than I love Iraq". -- OK, what's wrong with that statement? He thinks the US government is wrong, but he'd fight for the US. What's the treason there? I think the jury's still out on this bird.

[ladyinred]

I was thinking this morning as I heard this Clinton appointee denouncing this country about the outrage that Jane Fonda incurred when she embraced the side of the North Vietnamese. Ritter is talking to Iraq, badmouthing the administration. Where is the outrage at his traitorous behavior?

This RAT is obviously speaking on behalf of the DNC who clearly do not want us attacking Iraq until AFTER the election, fearing such an attack would hurt the RATS chances in the elections. That is what all of this is about IMHO.