Military

DATE=04/05/02

TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP

TITLE=SADDAM HUSSEIN

NUMBER=6-125632

BYLINE=JOHN GUCHEMAND

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

CONTENT=

INTRO: The Bush administration has recently made it clear that Saddam Hussein, the President of Iraq, stands in the way of United States interests. Hussein is now opposed not only by the United States, but also by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who stated last week that Hussein should prepare to face the consequences if he does not let United Nations weapons inspectors into Iraq.

Here with a sampling of U-S editorial comment is V-O-A's __________.

TEXT: Although Mr. Blair seems committed to solidarity with the United States in the "war against terror," many Britons have criticized his involvement in what many view as "[one] of the more adventurous notions of the American administration."

The Washington Times writes about the meeting last weekend between President Bush and Prime Minister Blair. "As they have before, they agreed that Iraq's Saddam Hussein cannot be allowed to continue his production of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons."

VOICE: Mr. Blair flew back to England on Monday, and into a political squall that may develop into a real storm against British involvement in the coming war with Iraq. Mr. Blair was careful not to commit Britain to the coming war, but he was firm in his statement that Saddam must allow U-N inspectors to go anywhere in Iraq at any time. Promising not to act "precipitately," Mr. Blair nonetheless said that, if necessary, military action should be taken and Saddam's regime replaced.

He was greeted on his return by a rebellion of about 150 Labor Party "backbenchers" - junior members of Parliament - who expressed a "deep unease" about any British involvement in an attack on Iraq. But it was not only the backbenchers who were attacking Mr. Blair's stance.

...Britian made a substantial contribution to the war in Afghanistan, committing hundreds of special forces troops to the battle, as well as refueling aircraft and many other ships, aircraft and people...Mr. Bush should ask his friend [Mr. Blair] if he needs help, and if needed give it quickly, or we may not have Britain at our side when the going gets tough the next time around.

TEXT: The Chicago Tribune argues that Mr. Hussein is "making Bush's case that he can not be tolerated and his regime should be toppled."

VOICE: Hussein recently upgraded his longtime offer to pay compensation to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers to 25-thousand-dollars from 10-thousand. Given the poverty among Palestinians, that is a rich payment to promote terror.

...Links between Iraq and elements of Osama bin Laden's Al Qaida network are becoming more visible. The New Yorker last month detailed the connection between a terrorist group called Ansar al-Islam, which occupies 10 villages in northern Iraq, and Al Qaida forces in Afghanistan. Saddam is doing everything he can to keep himself in the crosshairs of the U-S military. Why? Probably he sees the unrest in the Middle East as an opportunity to promote the instability and anti-American sentiment that he craves. The recent Israeli military offensive in the Palestinian territories has caused immense concern among Arab populations.

...British Prime Minister Tony Blair, meeting with President Bush in Texas last weekend, said that [Saddam] Hussein must allow United Nations weapons inspectors back into the country or face the consequences. The implication is that the U-S and British alliance against terrorism will move from Afghanistan to Iraq. If Hussein does not comply, he doubtless will open himself up to military action.

/// OPT /// ...Bush's smartest course will be patience as he explains to the world why Hussein should be ousted and how it can be done. Hussein is doing his best to close the deal. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: The New York Post also commends Mr. Blair for his cooperation in the war on terrorism, and says Saddam Hussein's plan to stop oil sales to the West has put Iraq's population at risk.

VOICE: ...the United Nations-sponsored deal...was...to [market oil] to purchase the food and medical supplies needed to feed and treat the suffering Iraqi populace. But skeptics rightly argued that Saddam had never before shown much concern for any population, least of all his own. /// OPT /// Indeed, the Iraqi people were starving largely as a result of Saddam's spending his nation's money on his own well-being and his desperate effort to build weapons of mass destruction. And, in fact, he quickly made a mockery of the "humanitarian" aid once the deal was adopted: Many of the newly imported goods were quickly resold abroad, with the proceeds going straight to Saddam's pocket and to his military rebuilding programs. /// END OPT ///

Imagine how many Iraqi children could be fed with the money dedicated to those programs. ... Which is one reason it was heartening to see British Prime Minister Tony Blair reiterate his backing for President Bush's get-tough policy on Iraq. ... As for the rest of the world, it is time to stop preaching to Washington about the urgent need to relieve the suffering of Iraq's "starving children."

Tell it to Saddam Hussein himself.

TEXT: That concludes today's sampling of U-S newspaper editorial pages.

NEB/TG/RAE