I’ve been amazed in recent months with the accusations and claims that have been made in reference to the situation in Iraq.

None of us have been privy to crucial intelligence information that has been obtained on the subject. That was until Wednesday morning when Secretary of State Colin Powell presented a considerable amount of such information to the United Nations and the world as a whole.

Recently people have accused the current administration of being warmongers, seeking to stir up a conflict with Iraq with no reasons for doing so. Much of the American public, as well as much of the world community, have been apprehensive and critical of the stance that has been taken by the Bush administration.

Many have called for further evidence of Iraqi incompliance with Security Council Resolution 1441.

It has been the position of the United States and its British allies that Iraq has not fully complied with this resolution. With doubt remaining in the minds of many, Colin Powell took center stage on Wednesday at the U.N. Reminiscent of U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson’s remarks to the U.N. during the Cuban missile crisis, Secretary Powell sought to put many of these doubts to rest. Using intelligence information which included tape recordings, satellite photographs, diagrams, maps and video of Iraqi chemical weapons tests, he presented a strong case against Iraq.

Powell’s 90-minute address included information about stockpiles of between 100 to 500 tons of chemical weapons agents, evidence of chemical and biological weapons being tested on prisoners, evidence of attempts to acquire nuclear weapons and delivery systems and an overall commitment by Iraq to conceal this information. Such significant information would be extremely difficult for the existing team of 180 weapons inspectors to uncover, information that is critical in establishing policies to deal with nations such as Iraq.

Already in comments made after Secretary Powell’s presentation there is evidence of slight backpedaling by people and nations who were opposed to any action against Iraq. This issue will undoubtedly continue to be debated for days to come.

What is certain, however, is that it is now time for Iraq to answer these allegations, or prepare for more serious action by the world community.

Garrett Pedersen

Senior

Community and regional planning