As the Bush administration moves into what officials call the last phase of the showdown with Iraq, the United States is undertaking a vigorous military and intelligence effort to track, and possibly kill, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Good idea. Even if we don't intend to do it, it's good to have Sammy thinking we'll do it...
The effort involves, among other things, small teams of U.S. special operations forces and CIA paramilitary units inside and around Iraq, satellite imagery, radio intercepts and airborne reconnaissance, U.S. intelligence officials say. The activities are part of a strategy designed to pressure Saddam to depart or disarm and, if he won't, pave the way for a U.S.-led invasion to oust him. On Sunday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he would support exile for Saddam and his family as a way to avoid war. But national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said it is "unlikely" the Iraqi dictator would go voluntarily as the confrontation enters "the start of a last phase."
I'm with Condi. I think when he goes, it'll be feet first. Sammy's not bright enough to do the Idi Amin routine... |