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FOXNews has reported that a "huge" suspected chemical weapons plant has been found in An Najaf, following an unconfirmed report by the Jerusalem Post. FOX is also reporting a Pentagon claim that coalition forces have in custody the Iraqi general formerly in charge of that plant. Some, from either genuine confusion or a desire to minimize the damage to pro-Hussein forces here and abroad, have started asking, "But suppose it isn't a chemical weapons plant? Suppose it was intended to (and even did) produce pesticides, or fertilizer, or baby formula? Isn't that perfectly legal? Wouldn't that be a PR blow to the liberation effort?" No. The possession of such a plant was not illegal, of course. The U.N. is not a government, and was never intended to be, and U.N.S.C. resolutions are not legislation, and were never intended to be, despite the claims to the contrary of foreign and domestic pro-Hussein forces. OTOH, it is contrary to the explicit language of U.N.S.C. Resolution 1441 which requires, among other things: in order to begin to comply with its disarmament obligations, in addition to submitting the required biannual declarations, the Government of Iraq shall provide to UNMOVIC, the IAEA, and the Council, not later than 30 days from the date of this resolution, a currently accurate, full, and complete declaration of all aspects of its programmes to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and other delivery systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and dispersal systems designed for use on aircraft, including any holdings and precise locations of such weapons, components, sub-components, stocks of agents, and related material and equipment, the locations and work of its research, development and production facilities, as well as all other chemical, biological, and nuclear programmes, including any which it claims are for purposes not related to weapon production or material
Were nothing else that could be a violation of this resolution ever to be found, this alone would establish its breach by Hussein. John "Akatsukami" Braue Sunday, March 23, 2003 |
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