Russia warns of pressure on inspectors

In the 1990’s the American’s were instigating spying via UN inspectors in Iraq. Now it seems they want to strong arm them to justify their war mongering?

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Russia warns of pressure on inspectors

Igor Ivanov, Russian foreign minister, on Thursday warned that “very strong pressure” was being exerted on United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, “in order to provoke their departure from Iraq, or to force them to present material to the Security Council that can be used as a pretext to start military operations”. Allegedly based on information available to Moscow, his dramatic claim highlights the degree to which Security Council members are looking to the inspectors to break their deep impasse over a possible war. The divide centres on whether the immediate threat from Saddam Hussein justifies military action - and its consequences. France is adamant it does not; the US says international order is at stake. After a month of increasingly assertive statements, there appears little room for compromise, and all sides are looking to the inspectors to offer them either unambiguous support, or to provide them with the political cover they need if they choose to climb down.

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Re: Russia warns of pressure on inspectors

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Malik73: *
In the 1990's the American's were instigating spying via UN inspectors in Iraq.
[/QUOTE]

You wouldn't happen to have any links on that available, would you, Malik? That was Saddam's reason for kicking out the UN inspectors, but, I've yet to see any proof.

Peace To All Who Read This...

Re: Re: Russia warns of pressure on inspectors

First Saddam did not “kick” out the UN inpsectors, but they left themselves just before the US lauched air attacks on Iraq.

U.S. Spied on Iraq Under U.N. Cover](http://www.library.cornell.edu/colldev/mideast/scomspy.htm)

UN ‘spied on Iraq’](UN 'spied on Iraq' | Iraq | The Guardian)

Some United Nations inspectors looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in the 1990s probably spied on behalf of their governments, a Swede who worked as an inspector](http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=402361)

U.S. Spied on Iraq Via U.N.](U.S. Spied on Iraq Via U.N.)

…“very strong pressure” was being exerted on United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq, “in order to provoke their departure from Iraq, or to force them to present material to the Security Council that can be used as a pretext to start military operations”.

Frustratingly disappointing, but not surprising. More regarding it -
Russia Condemns Washington for Piling Pressure on Inspectors, David Usborne
The Independent, 21 February 2003