UN Debate Imminent and Iraq Balks Again

Iraq presented a letter to the UN today, agreeing to admit inspectors on 19 October. The letter failed, however, to respond directly to a letter from UNMOVIC head Hans Blix, which requested confirmation of the conclusions from the earlier meetings in Vienna. Iraq says it endorsed the joint press conference that followed the meetings, and Blix's briefing notes two days after that. All other questions are being dealt with in good faith, says Iraqi UN ambassador Mohammed Aldouri. "We are not surprised that the Iraqis are once again attempting to delay and deceive," says the US ambassador's spokesman. The UN will begin open debate on the Iraq issue on Wednesday, at the behest of South Africa, which leads the 131-nation majority "Non-Aligned Movement."

Horsetrading at the UN

In order to obtain an unforgiving resolution from the UN Security Council, the United States is providing a wide range of concessions to the members of the Council. The Boston Globe has China asking the US to stop interfering in Tibet and Taiwan. France and Russia are asking for concessions on Iraqi oil. Russia would also like American sympathy with its actions in Georgia.

Bush Makes Case

President Bush addressed the nation last night to lay out his policy for Iraq. No new evidence was presented -- some compared it to "closing arguments" that a prosecutor would make at the end of a trial. The three major networks did not carry the speech, indicating that the White House did not request the coverage. That did not stop the White House from being somewhat disappointed over the lack of coverage. Read more for the major points.

Congress Argues, Filibuster Likely

The House and the Senate are well into the debate, but all the drama is in the Senate. House Democratic leaders have already pledged to back a bipartisan bill. The Senate Democrats are more unruly. Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota) is backing a resolution, while Senator Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) leads the opposition. In any case, a resolution is almost guaranteed to pass. To register his disapproval, Senator Byrd has pledged to filibuster the Senate vote, delaying it for up to 30 hours. A Congressional resolution is important not just for constitutional reasons, but because President Bush needs the backing of congress in his push for new UN Security Council resolutions.

Blair Links Iraq, Israel

British Prime Minister Tony Blair told members of a Labour Party conference in Blackpool last Tuesday that is important to restart the Israeli-Palenstinian peace talks in light of the pending UN action against Iraq. He alluded to the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which together call for Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories and a dialogue for final resolution of the problem. He expressed concern over a double-standard in applying resolution to Iraq and Israel.