Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles Monday February 11, 2002 The Guardian
The visit by Vice-President Dick Cheney to the Middle East next month is now seen as a prelude to what could be an attempt by the United States to remove Saddam Hussein by military means. One scenario being explored is said to be US air strikes coupled with hopes of defections from within the Iraqi military.
Despite the opposition of most of America's allies, the mood within the Bush administration is now to enforce the removal of Saddam Hussein by any means. Dick Cheney is to visit the region, including four neighbours of Iraq, in an attempt to persuade them to support the policy.
Even the secretary of state, Colin Powell, who is the most cautious of the US administration, is now said to be on board, according to the Los Angeles Times yesterday.
The military option is said to be one of three policies being pursued. The first would mean a tightening of sanctions through the UN to put pressure on Iraq to allow weapons inspectors to look for evidence of the development of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The second would require action to be taken by neighbouring states to "tighten the political noose", and the third would mean a military campaign relying heavily on air power and defections from within the Iraqi military.
"There's an evolving consensus that a sizeable US military activity will be required," a source told the LA Times.
Describing the reasons for Mr Cheney's visit, President Bush said last week: "There's nothing like looking somebody in the eye and letting them know that when we say we're going to fight terror, we mean it."
Mr Cheney will visit Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and Kuwait, all of which border Iraq and could be used as bases for US strikes. He will also visit Britain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Israel, partly in a bid to win support for whatever action the US may take. There has been strong opposition in the EU to expanding military action in the region.
· The UN humanitarian programme in Iraq is bogged down by politics and outdated regulations, Benon Sevan, director of the UN oil-for-food programme - created in 1996 to ease the suffering of Iraqis living under sanctions - said yesterday after a three-week visit to Iraq.