This is from the Electronic Telegraph. Dec 16, 1998
http://www.telegraph.co.uk:
Renewed air strike threat to Saddam
By Christopher Lockwood, Diplomatic Editor
THE possibility of air strikes within hours against Saddam
Hussein was suddenly raised yesterday as the United
Nations Security Council prepared to consider a report on
Iraq's non-compliance with arms inspections.
British diplomats last night renewed past warnings that
Britain and America "reserve the right to take immediate
military action" should the report from the UN's chief weapons inspector,
Richard Butler, highlight Iraqi violations.
Britain and America have maintained sufficient forces in
the Middle East to launch devastating cruise missile and
bomber attacks. With President Clinton facing an
impeachment vote tomorrow, he is unlikely to want to be soft
on Saddam if the report is as damning as observers expect.
The holy month of Ramadan begins at the end of this week,
followed by Christmas, so any air strikes would have to take
place now or not until well into next year.
Mr Butler's report is expected to list at least seven areas in
which Saddam has failed to honour his pledges. If Mr
Butler concludes that Saddam is systematically violating
his agreements, Britain and America will have little option
but to act. All but a handful of UN weapons inspectors
departed from Baghdad yesterday.
16 November 1998: Honour this deal or else, Saddam told
