Killer File of Saddam Hussein 2002 - 2006

Killer File of Saddam Hussein 1947-2001

2002 - Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in the United States and the subsequent retaliatory action against Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban in Afghanistan, US President George W. Bush nominates Iraq as one of the members of an "axis of evil" that also includes Iran and North Korea.

The Bush administration is particularly concerned about Iraq's alleged ongoing attempts to develop weapons of mass destruction, which it claims are a threat to the region and the world. President Bush also stresses the need for "regime change" in Iraq.

The US begins to agitate for a resumption of the armed conflict with Iraq to force it to disarm. President Bush advocates preemptive, unilateral action and receives backing from Britain and Australia, which indicate that they would be prepared to participate in any renewed conflict.

However the suggestion is rejected by most Western and Asian nations, including Russia, Germany, France, Canada and China, which insist that any action must be sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) Security Council and that Iraq should first be given the opportunity to allow the UN weapons inspectors to return to complete their work. The Arab states also rebuff the US plan.

On 12 September President Bush takes his case to the UN Security Council, calling for a tough new resolution demanding that Iraq disclose and remove all weapons of mass destruction, end support for terrorism, and cease the persecution of its population.

Almost all member nations of the UN, including most Arab states, subsequently urge Iraq to accept the return of the weapons inspectors.

On 16 September Iraq tells the UN that it will allow the unconditional return of the inspectors. However the offer is later muddied when Iraq announces that the inspectors will only be allowed back under the terms of existing UN resolutions and that unrestricted access will continue to be denied to 42 presidential "sites".

The offer is dismissed by the US, which continues to press for a new Security Council resolution containing a clear statement of Iraq's responsibilities, a short deadline and the prospect of military force if Hussein fails to comply.

Other permanent Security Council members, including France and Russia, favour two resolutions - one setting out the terms for the return of the inspectors and a second on the consequences if Iraq fails to comply. Intense and protracted negotiations between the US and the other permanent members of the council over the issue follow.

Hussein's personal response to the crisis is read to the UN on 19 September. "I hereby declare before you that Iraq is clear of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons," Hussein says in the prepared text.

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