NEGATIVE/ROGUES/IRAQ

IRAQ IS NOT A MILITARY THREAT TO THE WEST

SADDAM HAS SHOWN THAT HE IS DETERRED FROM USING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION BY THE RISK OF USA RESPONSE

Richard Durbin St. Louis Post-Dispatch March 23, 1999, SECTION: EDITORIAL, Pg. B7, HEADLINE: STAR WARS PLAN WOULD UNDERMINE U.S. SECURITY // lnu-acs

During the Gulf War we made it quite clear that if Saddam Hussein used his weapons of mass destruction against our forces, he would suffer an overwhelming response. He did not use those weapons. We have made it clear to the whole world that we will respond to any use of weapons of mass destruction against us, while leaving the type of weapon, nuclear or conventional, ambiguous.

DETERRENCE WORKS WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN

Samuel R. Berger, President Clinton's national security adviser, February 13, 2001, The Washington Post SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. A21 HEADLINE: Is This Shield Necessary? //VT2002acsln

But why do we believe Saddam or his malevolent counterparts would be less susceptible to deterrence than Stalin or his successors? Indeed, dictators such as Saddam tend to stay in power so long because of their obsession with self-protection. And is it likely we would not use every means at our disposal to respond to a vital threat to our economic lifeline, even if it meant preemptively taking out any long-range missiles the other side might have?

IRAQ WILL BE MOSTLY DIPLOMATICALLY BELLIGERANT IN THE NXT FEW YEARS AS THEIR MILITARY IS STILL WEAK

ROBERT WALL February 12, 2001 Aviation Week & Space Technology SECTION: WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS; Vol. 154, No. 7; Pg. 30 HEADLINE: CIA Details Proliferation Concerns, Other Threats //VT2002acsln

-- Iraq is expected to be increasingly belligerent, although mainly on the diplomatic front. Saddam Hussein has rebuilt missile and chemical production facilities, Tenet noted. But Iraq's military also continues to show its weaknesses, particularly in moving supplies and forces.

IRAQ'S MILITARY IS AS WEAK AS IT HAS EVER BEEN

Henri J. Barkey, professor of international relations at Lehigh, University, January 28, 2001, Los Angeles Times SECTION: Opinion; Part M; Page 2; HEADLINE: THE WORLD / IRAQ; GETTING EVEN WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN //VT2002acsln

As a regional military power, Iraq is weaker than it has ever been. But at home, Hussein's hold on power is stronger than ever. The regime's rationing system to distribute food and medicines has become a tool of control and a mechanism to punish people suspected of disloyalty. Moreover, while Iraqis are deprived of basic commodities, Hussein and his cronies, through the contraband of medicines and oil, have enriched themselves. The new oil exports to Syria will directly contribute at least $ 2 million a day to Hussein's coffers.

IRAQ DOES NOT HAVE FACILITIES FOR AN ACTIVE NUCLEAR WMD PROGRAM NOW

WILLIAM J. BROAD April 29, 2001, The New York Times SECTION: Section 1; Page 16; HEADLINE: Document Reveals 1987 Bomb Test by Iraq //VT2002acsln

Nuclear experts say Iraq today has neither programs to develop radiological weapons nor the reactors needed to make radioactive materials for them, and no fuel for nuclear arms. The reactor used in making the prototype radiological weapon was itself bombed during the gulf war in 1991, and inspectors tried to keep Iraq from resuming its nuclear efforts for years afterward.

IRAQ AND IRAN ARE ON THE BRINK OF MILITARY HOSTILITIES

The Independent (London), February 8, 2000, SECTION: FOREIGN NEWS; Pg. 15 HEADLINE: IRAN WARNS IRAQ OVER REBEL ATTACK // acs-ln-02-10-2000

THE HEAD of Iran's 120,000-strong Revolutionary Guards is threatening to retaliate against an Iraq-based opposition group if Baghdad fails to prevent the rebels from crossing into Iran, Tehran television reported. The group launched a mortar attack in Iran at the weekend.