S P E C I A L: The Standoff with Iraq

Iraq - UN Summary:

Clinton beefs up military in Gulf

November 14, 1997

Web posted at: 2:42 p.m. EST (1942 GMT)

Calling Iraq's failure to comply with U.N. resolutions "a crisis of Saddam's making," President Clinton Friday ordered a second U.S. aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf. He said American forces would prepare "for any contingency."

"It's too dangerous an issue, it would set too powerful a precedent about the impotence of the United Nations, if we didn't proceed on this," the president said.

Clinton blamed the increasing tensions solely on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. "It can be unmade only when he can no longer threaten the international community with weapons of mass destruction."

(Story: Clinton beefs up military in Gulf)

Though still hoping for a diplomatic resolution to the standoff between the United Nations and Iraq, the United States began building up its military might in the Gulf should force become necessary.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington, escorted by three warships armed with cruise missiles, was dispatched Friday from the Mediterranean Sea to join the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf.

(Story: U.S. begins military buildup in Gulf)

The decision to withdraw non-American arms inspectors from Iraq was sharply criticized Friday at a closed-door meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

Sources say that several ambassadors were upset with chief U.N. weapons inspector Richard Butler for ordering 68 non-American members of the U.N. arms inspection team out of Iraq after six American inspectors were expelled.

(Story: Butler criticized for pulling inspectors)

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Friday he was "constantly" in touch with world leaders in an effort to resolve the Iraq crisis by peaceful means. But at a news conference he did not announce any new diplomatic initiatives to end the stalemate, intensified by Iraq's expulsion of U.N. arms inspectors.

"I've been doing nothing but that (for) the past 10 days -- or more," Annan told a reporter when asked if he had been in consultations to end the deadlock.

(Story: U.N. still seeks peaceful solution)

All but free from prying United Nations eyes for the first time in almost seven years, Iraq celebrated Friday by imposing fuel rationing and preparing for a military confrontation.

(Story: Iraq prepares for the worst)

Six American weapons inspectors expelled from Iraq arrived in Bahrain early Saturday, weary from more than 24 hours of travel.

(Story: Weary American inspectors reach Bahrain)



Britain said it wants a diplomatic solution to the Iraq crisis but kept the military option open and announced on Friday it was putting a squadron of warplanes on heightened alert. Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iraq's President Saddam Hussein would make a "severe mistake" if he continued to defy the international community.

(Story: Britain puts jets on alert)