Quote Originally Posted by thcbongman
However you seemed to forgotten UN weapons inspections was going on at the time.
Rather than doing the smart thing and try to account for all the weapons possible, we move in and destroy any traces of evidence linking Iraq to WMD.
Re-writing history, are we? Any supporting links for these 'facts'?
I've got a link:
Security Council Resolutions Concerning Iraq

There were other resolutions prior to UNSCR 687, but this is where the UN Security Council gave a hint there was a problem with supporting terrorists and nukes. (remember Saddam giving $10,000.00 to every family of every homicide bomber in the Israel?) A full 10 years before we were forced to confront the issue. If someone is threatening to shove a nuke up our ass, I would expect my president to effectively deal with the situation. The time for more mandates was long-gone.

The IAEA was mandated, on 4-3-1991, to "verify elimination of Iraq's nuclear weapons program"
This wasn't the day before the invasion...it was 10 friggin' years before.


UNSCR 687 - April 3, 1991:
Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities."

Iraq must "unconditionally agree not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapons-usable material" or any research, 0development or manufacturing facilities.

Iraq must "unconditionally accept" the destruction, removal or rendering harmless "under international supervision" of all "ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 KM and related major parts and repair and production facilities."

Iraq must not "use, develop, construct or acquire" any weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq must reaffirm its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Creates the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to verify the elimination of Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programs and mandated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verify elimination of Iraq's nuclear weapons program.

Iraq must declare fully its weapons of mass destruction programs.

Iraq must not commit or support terrorism, or allow terrorist organizations to operate in Iraq.

Iraq must cooperate in accounting for the missing and dead Kuwaitis and others.

Iraq must return Kuwaiti property seized during the Gulf War.