Trent Lott: “It is always possible to get a deal if you give enough away. The central issue with regard to Iraq is whether an…”

“It is always possible to get a deal if you give enough away. The central issue with regard to Iraq is whether an agreement furthers American interests. The deal negotiated by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan with Iraq does not adequately address the threat posed by Saddam Hussein. After years of denying that Saddam Hussein had any right to determine the scope of inspections or the makeup of inspection teams, this agreement codifies his ability to do both. It is, to quote one diplomat, ``the beginning of the unraveling of the inspection process.'' This accord sets up a new inspection regime under the control of the Secretary General of the so-called ``eight palace residences.'' He appoints ``senior diplomats'' to the group. He names the head of the group. And it is not clear to me, although others I am sure are getting clarification on this, who that person would be. Would it be one of the UNSCOM inspectors? Would it be some diplomat? The group will have its own rules.”