WORLD REPORT EDITION    IN THE NEWS

  February 14, 2003

The Case Against Saddam

It was show-and-tell time at the United Nations Security Council in New York City. On February 5, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell made an urgent presentation to representatives of the 15 nations on the council. For 80 minutes, he revealed the latest evidence that Iraq has broken agreements and is hiding illegal weapons.

Powell showed satellite photos of suspected secret weapons sites. He played recordings of Iraqis discussing weapons. He read testimony from witnesses who say Iraq has not followed the U.N. resolution calling for it to disarm or face a possible military attack. Powell said Iraq has tricked U.N. weapons inspectors and helped terrorists.

Not all the information was new, but Powell pressed his case. "Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons. Saddam Hussein has used such weapons ... against his neighbors and against his own people," he said. "How much longer ... before we as the United Nations say, 'Enough'?"

Some nations replied: "A bit longer." France, China and Russia said that the weapons inspectors should collect more evidence. "Force can only be a last resort," said French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin.

President George W. Bush called for the U.N. to act. "The game is over," he declared. "Saddam Hussein will be stopped."

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