the iraqi/french strategy the next 36 hours

[rainstorm]

from neal boortz:

THE NEXT 36 HOURS --- SADDAM'S GRAND GESTURE
You certainly don't think that Saddam Hussein is through with is game plan, do you? Remember, Saddam has said in interviews that his tactic here is to buy time. He uses that time to drive a wedge between the United States and the rest of the world. Sooner or later, he believes, world opinion against the United States will become so strong that demands for his removal will all but disappear.

So, what to expect from Saddam over the next 36 hours?

The experts and strategists I've been paying particular attention to say that Hussein will be making a televised speech sometime within the next 36 hours. Probably sooner rather than later. In that speech Saddam will pledge his full and unconditional cooperation with the United Nations. He will agree to completely disarm, and will invite an international force to come to Iraq to witness his full compliance.

Following Hussein's speech Russia and France will immediately rush a new resolution to the Security Council calling for a 30 day moratorium on any military action against Saddam Hussein .. giving him time to live up to his disarmament pledge. Democrats and leftists in the United States will immediately join the Franco-Russian chorus for delay. Democrats, after all, fear another major international success by a Republican president more than they do the intentions of Saddam Hussein. This, of course, puts Bush and the United States in a rough spot. A delaying tactic? Obviously! But is Bush going to send troops across the border to attack a dictator who has made a renewed pledge to disarm?

OK .. let's say that Bush experiences a lapse of judgment and resolve and goes along with this 30 day idea. We all know what will happen here. Hussein will call for meetings to discuss the procedures for his disarmament. Arguments will ensue over just what weapons he actually has, and which weapons will be destroyed. Then there will be the predictable protests over American involvement in the U.N. force observing the supposed disarmament. Thirty days will come and go, and Saddam will have managed to stall any meaningful disarmament moves yet again. More of his weapons will be securely hidden, and the weather in Iraq will be in the scorching range & very unfriendly to coalition forces.

Bush says the door to diplomacy is closed. We'll see.

[Steve H.]

Bush needs to stand firm on this, or he puts our troops in further jeopardy. And you're right, Hussein and Aziz will probably go for a bargain. If we give in it will show weakness, and he wins, even if we defeat him. We can't allow the deceit to go on. It's so obvious, I can't believe that so many don't see through the deception. :o I am not one for war, but this is ridiculous. The game is over. Get out of Dodge Saddam!!

[JCT777]

Mr. Boortz does have some good points (although I can do without his constant condemnation of Democrats - go to Boortz's web site to see what I mean at http://www.boortz.com). I would hope that Bush will stand by what he said in his speech and will not allow France or any other country to try to convince him to give Saddam more time. At this point, whatever France has to say should go in one ear and out the other!