COUNTDOWN TO WAR: THE CLOCK IS TICKING; Bush talks tough as Iraq faces attack.Byline: STEVE McKENZIE & EVELYN LEOPOLD TIME is running out for Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein (born April 28, 1937, Tikrit, Iraq—died Dec. 30, 2006, Baghdad) President of Iraq (1979–2003). He joined the Ba'th Party in 1957. Following participation in a failed attempt to assassinate Iraqi Pres. as he faces up to the prospect of war. The Iraqi dictator has one last chance to get rid of his weapons of mass destruction Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people. Weapons of mass destruction can be high explosives or nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons, but exclude the means of transporting or - or face an all-out attack by American and British forces. But as the countdown to conflict nears its critical hour, experts believe Saddam is still unwilling to comply fully with the terms of tough new United Nations demands. And that could mean war breaking out within the next three months. British and US generals have been redrawing their battle orders since the UN Security Council voted 15- 0 in favour of fresh demands for Iraq to disarm. Defence analyst Paul Beaver Paul Beaver (1925-1975) was a jazz musician and a pioneer in popular electronic music, who used the Moog Synthesizer. He was the Moog vehicle of The Zodiac project. In 1966 he joined fellow electronic artist Bernie Krause, forming Beaver & Krause. said last night: "I am finding it difficult to be optimistic about this. "I do not expect Iraq to fully co-operate. Saddam will say this is a matter of national sovereignty and the Iraqi people will not stand for it. "But what it will come down to is Saddam's aim in life - to remain in power. "If there is war, I now expect it to start early to mid- February." Iraq has still to officially respond to the UN resolution, which sets out a clear timetable for the return of weapons inspectors. February 21 is the latest date for inspectors to report back on their mission. But Saddam must agree to the terms of the ultimatum by next Friday Next Friday is the 2000 sequel to Friday , which depicts the neighborhood of South Los Angeles in a comedic sense. The hero, Craig Jones (Ice Cube), leaves home and moves in with his lottery winning and sex-crazed Uncle Elroy (Don "D.C." Curry) in Rancho Cucamonga. and allow a team - headed by chief inspectors Hans Blix Hans Martin Blix (born 28 June, 1928 in Uppsala, Sweden) is a Swedish diplomat and politician. He was Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs (1978 - 1979). and Mohammed El Baradei - into Iraq the following Monday. Full backing for the resolution surprised military planners, but gives breathing space for diplomatic efforts. British and US officials will use the time to shore up support in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (sä  `dē ərā`bēə, sou`–, sô–), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. - a key ally in the Gulf War, is opposed to a fresh
fight with Iraq.
Last week, the Sunday Mail revealed that hundreds of Scottish troops will be in the first wave of any attack. Two Scots regiments became fully operational as part of the Army's High Readiness Brigade. The 1000 men of the Black Watch and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) (SCOTS DG) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and the senior Scottish regiment. It was formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) are now ready to go to war. They are part of the 7th Armoured Brigade - the famous Desert Rats - who fought in the 1990 Gulf War and are equipped with heavy tanks and armoured infantry. The Royal Tank Regiment The Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It was formerly known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps. It is part of the Royal Armoured Corps and is made up of two operational regiments, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Regiment of Fusiliers The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division. The regiment was formed on April 23, 1968, as part of the reforms of the army that saw the creation of the first 'large infantry regiments', by the amalgamation of the are also part of the brigade. Together with artillery, command staff, medics and engineers, the total strength is around 5000. Last night, US President George W. Bush warned Iraq that any delay in admitting UN weapons inspectors will be regarded as a breach of the Security Council resolution. The resolution gives Saddam until Friday to agree to allow inspectors in to eliminate weapons of mass destruction or face "serious consequences". Bush said: "The world has now come together to say that the outlaw regime in Iraq will not be permitted to build or possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. "And my administration will see to it that the world's judgment is enforced. "Iraq must now, without delay or negotiations, give up its weapons of mass destruction, welcome full inspections and fundamentally change the approach it has taken for more than a decade. "Iraq can be certain that the old game of cheat and retreat, tolerated at other times, will no longer be tolerated." How the world slowly marched to the brink of battle AUGUST 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait. JANUARY 1991: Allies launch Gulf War against Iraq. FEBRUARY 1991: Allied troops take control of Kuwait. AUGUST 1992: No-fly zone imposed to protect Shiite Muslim rebels and restrict Iraqi military. JUNE 1993: US fires cruise missiles at Baghdad over plot to assassinate former President George Bush. OCTOBER 1994: Saddam moves troops towards Kuwait but pulls back after Allied warships and troops are sent to the region. JUNE 1997: Row simmers over Iraq's failure to comply with UN weapons inspectors' demands. NOVEMBER 1997: Iraq expels American weapons inspectors but allows them back weeks later. SEPTEMBER 1998: Row over Iraqi obstruction deepens and UN inspectors pull out. FEBRUARY 2001: UK and US launch heavy air attacks after Iraqi targeting of their planes. JANUARY 2002: President Bush describes Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil". SEPTEMBER: Tony Blair reveals dossier on Iraq's weapons and human rights abuses. NOVEMBER: Scottish regiments,the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Black Watch, are put on alert for war. UN Security Council vote 15- 0 for ultimatum to Iraq to allow inspectors back. NOVEMBER 15: Iraq must promise to accept UN resolution. NOVEMBER 18: Chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei to go to Iraq to resume inspections. DECEMBER 8: Iraq must reveal to security council full list of weapons of mass destruction. DECEMBER 23: Up to 100 inspectors to be in Iraq to check list. FEBRUARY 21: The latest date set by security council for inspectors to report back on their findings. |
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