Sam Gibbons: “recently Iraq agreed to allow U.N. inspectors back into their country without conditions. After hearing that news, all I…”

“recently Iraq agreed to allow U.N. inspectors back into their country without conditions. After hearing that news, all I can say is we have been down this road before. After a decade of deception by Iraq, the United Nations must show some real backbone if it wants to be a meaningful organization in the 21st century. Let us not forget that from 1991 to 1998, in spite of 13 different U.N. resolutions mandating unconditional access, Iraq never allowed that to happen. Saddam always had his conditions. Inspectors were kept from presidential palaces, mosques, and military installations, just to name a few places where we know he hides weapons. The U.N. must pass a resolution that not only mandates unconditional weapons inspections, but also outlines the serious consequences for Saddam's Iraq if the U.N. inspectors do not get complete and unimpeded access and support. The U.N. must take control and mandate unfettered inspections, and Saddam Hussein must comply. It is time for the U.N., and not Saddam Hussein, to be in the driver's seat.”