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GULF WAR - 10 years on
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After ten years of sanctions imposed by the United Nations and four American presidencies, Saddam Hussein is still in power. His leadership, despite rumours of health problem, doesn鈥檛 seem to be in any question inside the country and from an international point of view, Iraq finds itself less isolated. Baghdad airport receives flight every day, more than 20 ministers attended the Iraqi trade fair in October 1999, and old adversaries such as Syria or Iran are thinking about resuming their diplomatic ties.
Rumours about Saddam鈥檚 health
On January 3rd 2001 Iraq's Information Ministry denied reports that President Saddam Hussein had suffered a stroke and insisted he was "strong". The official statements came after the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, a dissident group based in Damascus, alleged that Saddam had suffered a "severe stroke" on January 1st.
A spokesman said that "The whole world saw President Saddam Hussein who, for more than five hours, stood strong in saluting the units of our valiant army" during a huge national military parade on December 31st. According to the spokesman, Saddam "fired 142 shots in the air, which some youngsters could not do." This, he insisted, was " enough to answer such reports".
In September, Iraqi officials denied an Arab newspaper report that Saddam was to undergo chemotherapy for lymph cancer.
Iraq and the Arab world
It is among the Arab world that Iraq鈥檚 isolation is eroding most dramatically.
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Syria鈥檚 position on Iraq has shifted. Bashar al-Assad doesn鈥檛 share his late father鈥檚 animosity towards Saddam Hussein.
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Iran and Iraq have just concluded an agreement to reactivate five joint committees set up under a 1997 to resolve issues remaining from the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. Even though Iran remains very suspicious of Saddam and the agreement may not resolve much, it represents one more step in Iraq鈥檚 regional integration.
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During the Gulf war, Saddam Hussein enjoyed a certain popularity among the Palestinians for his Scud missile attacks on Israel. Since violence has resumed between the Israelis and Palestinians, Saddam has shown his support for the Intifada by rewarding the family of every Palestinian "martyr". He also asked the UN to divert $880 million of oil revenues controlled by the oil-for-food programme to the Palestinians. It is believed that many Palestinians have refused Saddam鈥檚 money.
The new Bush administration and it鈥檚 stance on Iraq
Outgoing US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has warned there should be no joy in Baghdad over the incoming administration in Washington because it shared her hard line on enforcing UN sanctions.
The Bush administration has said that it will "re-energise" its sanctions against the Iraqi government. George W. Bush鈥檚 newly appointed Secretary of State, General Colin Powell said that Saddam "was sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around for few years". He also said that Iraq had failed to respect its agreement to drop its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and missile programs.
During the Gulf War, Colin Powell was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Vice-President Dick Cheney was Defence Secretary.
Gulf War Report - Part 1, Gulf War 10 years On
Gulf War Report - Part 2, Iraq's Empty Promises
Gulf War Report - Part 4, Sanctions
Gulf War Report - Part 5, Control of the Skies
Gulf War Report - Part 6, Arms Inspections
Gulf War Report - Part 7, Depleted Uranium - Special Report by Barbara Plett & Links
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| Baghdad |
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| Saddam's Summer Palace |
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| General Colin Powell |
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