The blix shield

A key piece of the Iraqi WMD programs is unfettered access to the scientists and others who hold/held substantial positions. Hans Blix, the see no evil chief inspector, says things are going just swimmingly; his inspectors, for the most part, are looking at known sites and are getting good cooperation from Saddam's henchmen. Well and good, but what about talking to folks who know where the stuff is now? And without the omnipresent Iraqi handlers. Nothing suppresses free speech like the implied or actual threat of death and torture to you and your family. Blixen's approach is to ask the Iraqis, pretty please, tell us who are your scientists. Not too much credulity, is there? Does any rational, objective person believe that any would-be defectors known or suspected by the Iraqis will be on this list?

It is clear that unless we can spirit key Iraqis, and their families, out of the grasp of the Saddam regime, we will not find out what we need to know without war. Blix is clearly part of the problem; more concerned it appears with process than with results. And, here's a flash: the purpose of the inspections is not to perform inspections; it is to determine whether Saddam's regime is in material breach of longstanding UN resolutions. This has already been accomplished. The answer is, yes.

As for talking freely with Iraqi scientists, this extract from a news report in today's Washington Post is illustrative:

Blix has been reluctant to use the authority conferred on him by a Nov. 8 Security Council resolution and take Iraqi scientists and their families out of the country for questioning.

Blix has expressed skepticism about allowing his team to become a channel for defections. Iraqi officials have taken comfort from that.

That last sentence is all one needs to read about Blix and his valiant attempt to find no evil.