Language in UN Resolution on Iraq Critical in Legitimizing a Future U.S. War

Interview with Phyllis Bennis,with the Institute for Policy Studies conducted by Scott Harris

Since the Bush administration began beating the drums of war against Iraq this past summer, the United Nations has been placed at the center of debate on the question of renewed weapons inspections and the legitimacy of any future U.S. attack. France, Russia and China -- three of the five permanent members of the Security Council, each with veto power -- have objected to the White House demand for a single resolution mandating a tough new round of weapons inspections, which if impeded by Baghdad, would automatically authorize a U.S. invasion. Instead, France, Russia and China have advocated a set of two resolutions: one laying out conditions for weapons inspections and a second resolution, when and if Saddam Hussein's government fails to comply.

But over the past seven weeks, Secretary of State Colin Powell has worked behind the scenes applying heavy pressure to U.S. allies on the Security Council to accede to Washington's plan. As a result, a compromise resolution may soon be approved by the Council that could adopt ambiguous language that would satisfy both President Bush's pursuit of war making authority and those that oppose it.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, who examines the high stakes negotiations at the U.N. and continuing international opposition to a U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Contact the Institute for Policy Studies by calling (202) 234-9382 or visit their Web site at www.ips-dc.org.

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