So, the Iraqi response to allowing inspectors in to ensure compliance with UN resolutions is to hold yet another nation hostage.

"Iraq does not accept Bush's conditions. He wants to control Iraq, he wants Iraq's oil, he wants to protect Israel," Aziz charged.

well, about the only “charge” mentioned that sticks is the one regarding Israel, and everyone knows how bad it is to protect someone -- especially if the Iraqi regime hates them.

"Iraq will deliver a deep blow to Israel that it will not forget if it interferes in the war," Trade Minister Mohammed Mahdi Saleh told the Al-Khaleej newspaper.

Here, the implication is that we should not request aid from Israel when we cripple Iraq -- again.

I would say, “How much dumber can one person get?!”, but I’m sure Hussein is working on that answer even know.

Personally, not at all surprised.

The Iraqi trade minister warned Bush against pressing ahead with his threat to the UN General Assembly Thursday to strike Iraq if it does not disarm. Washington should "study well the history of Iraq before launching a strike on Baghdad," Saleh said.



"Iraq will not capitulate and the Iraqi people are ready to die and sacrifice themselves to defend their nation. "If the United States launches an aggression against Iraq, all Arab peoples will be shaken from the (Atlantic) Ocean to the Gulf," he added.





There was a funny fella by the name of -- what was it? -- oh, yeah, Osama bin Laden who said the same thing about the Arab support he had for his illegal regime and how it would be impossible for the U.S. to survive such a decades-long conflict.

Cheers, all,
Dan