Annan's visit may force US hand
Iraq, International, 2/19/1998

In a clear signal to Iraq that despite a poor showing of internal public support for his policy, US president Bill Clinton today announced that he has asked his Vice President Albert Gore to delay a planned visit to South Africa, and called on his national security advisors to stay at hand, heightening the sense of urgency to this crisis, and focusing media attention away from yesterday's Ohio town hall meeting that can be described as a failure.

The meeting at Ohio State University was received badly by some participants as well as US officials for the impression it may have conveyed to Iraq about a mostly negative feeling toward the presidents' policy and for the fear that it may give Iraqi officials an image of weak support and determination on the part of the US public for the president's policy.

This US fear is compounded by US apprehension that a possible compromise UN Secretary-General Annan may strike with Iraq may not be to the full liking of the US. US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson has been insistent on qualifying all his statements about support for Annan's mission by saying "we reserve the right to disagree" with Annan if a compromise is not in line with US goals of unfettered and unconditional inspection access to all Iraqi sites.

The tone of US ambassador Richardson's comments yesterday following Annan's press conference alarmed some UN officials who fear that the US may be setting Annan up for failure by giving the US a way out of any compromise he may strike with Iraq. ArabicNews.com has not been able to confirm a report from one source that said Annan spoke to Richardson after the Annan press conference about clarification of US support for this mission. Richardson today though reiterated his comments of support for Annan, saying that his chance of success are 50 percent.

All this while international support continues to waver with a Fox TV News report talking of Britain now wanting to possibly pursue a second UN resolution to the UN Security Council that would affirm the right of the US to take military action against Iraq, a right that Iraq insists the US does not have. This will be seen by many as a backtracking by Britain in its support for Clinton should it prove correct. Clinton has been in touch with many leaders including France's as a result of their strong statements against the US attitude in resolving this crisis.

Clinton said, "I've made no decision about a deadline." The president put a positive face on the Ohio town hall meeting, saying it was a "good old fashioned American debate." He added that "if diplomacy fails" the US is ready to act, and if further action becomes necessary, "I will speak directly to the American people."

Iraq may misunderstand the town hall meeting's implications. Iraq has displayed the meeting on its Television. Iraq will be mistaken if it underestimates the US desire to take military action, the extent to which the US will go to "find" reasons to strike, and the strong geostrategic motives it has to do so.

Iraq is at a critical juncture in its decision-making process, and the price of miscalculation will be high. Annan's mediation presents an opportunity for all to save face. It remains to be seen if Iraq and the US will take advantage of this opportunity.

Previous Stories:
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