Washington Post: “Shortly before 4PM yesterday, Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet offered President Bush the prospect — improbable to the point of fantasy, yet suddenly at hand — that the war against Iraq might be transformed with its opening shots. The CIA, Tenet said, believed it had a fix on President Saddam Hussein.” [Scripting News]
The president has notified Congress….
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
My bets on when the war starts? Either midnight Eastern tomorrow night or 7:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday night. Why? Thursday is the first day of Spring and we love to do Spring cleaning and 7:59 p.m. is the beginning of the Iranian new year. Symbolic, no? Most Iranians would be happy to see Saddam go. After all, he killed a million Iranians. But, don’t expect celebrations. My wife tells me often “you can’t understand the horrors of war. You’ve never had your house bombed.” Plus, it’s accepted that we’ll be going after Iran’s nuclear capabilities after we’re done with Saddam. [The Scobleizer Weblog]
I disagree with the Right Honorable Member’s comments, but it is a hell of a speech…
Cook’s resignation speech. The former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook resigned from his post as Leader of the House yesterday. This has been widely reported and is thus probably known to most K5 readers. What’s probably not widely know here is that he won an unprecedented standing ovation in the House of Commons. BBC is offering a recording of the speech in RealMedia format. However you stand on the issue, it is worth watching as a counterpoint to Bush’s speech. [kuro5hin.org]
Hussein Warns of World War if U.S. Strikes. BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — President Saddam Hussein warned Sunday that if Iraq is attacked, it will take the war anywhere in the world “wherever there is sky, land or water.”. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]
Moment of Truth. If we’re going to have this war then let’s have it so that we can face the aftermath. Let’s stop with the pretenses, and the phony summits, and the press releases, and Powell saying one thing while Cheney says another. If we’re going to rain bombs on Baghdad, let’s do so and quickly, rather than leave the people of that city in terror. Let’s stop toying with Iraq and move in for the kill. [Burningbird]
The Man Who Would Be President. After occupation, President Bush will have virtually unlimited power over Iraq, far greater power, for example, than Queen Victoria’s over India in the 19th century. By Thomas Powers. [New York Times: NYT HomePage]