Remember this when the US was blamed for killing thousands due to the sanctions.

This is hilarious. Wasn't Russia pushing for the sanctions to be lifted while Hussein was in charge? Now that he is gone, they want the sanctions to stay because Hans Blix hasn't woken up from his nappy and said everything is OK?

Stop it, Vladimir. You're killing me.

No problem. We can just trade roles.

Before the war the Russians and the French ignored the sanctions to sell weapons to an evil overlord while the US complained to the impotent and useless UN. After the war we can ignore the Sanctions to sell food and medicine to childrenwhile the they complain to the impotent and useless UN..

Isn't moral equivalence wonderful.

This is a very good development, it means more trade for the usa.
Don't you love it when the axis of weasels paint themselves in a corner?

Regime change in Baghdad is not a condition for lifting economic sanctions on Iraq.

This doesn't make sense. Sanctions are placed on a nation usually due to the actions of it's government. Now that Saddam's system is down and being dismantled, the ultimate "punishment" the sanctions might have caused has now been accomplished. The government has paid the final price and is no longer in power. Hence, the sanctions are no longer targeted properly, ignoring the assumption they were in the first place.

Not only that, but those sanctions have been roundly criticized for years by all corners of the globe so you'd think they'd jump up and thank the US for proposing this. For any real economic development to be had, they've got to be lifted. Iraq needs that development as much as it needs a better government.

Russia's strict reading of the resolution sure would have been useful during the debate on 1441 et al...

This may be the Olympic Gold Medal Award in All-Time Astounding United Nations Hypocrisy.

Further evidence that some inspectors work for KGB.

I am amazed that there are not more people who were opposed to this war before it began because they dislike this administration (and I know that not all of them opposed the war for this reason, but I'm focusing on this group) when it puts them on the same side of the issue with Russia, France, and repressive Arab governments. How can news like this not act as a splash of cold water in the face? Wouldn't it make one question the premises of on'es worldview? They certainly have a RIGHT to have a different view (the accusation that questioning this group's logic is to question its right to have a different opinion is always mildly amusing), but I have read countless arguments from that side of the issue and it just doesn't add up to me.

This is beautiful. They were against military action triggered by the resolution, but won't lift santions because of the resolution.

I think we need to call due all those sweetheart loans and put any undistributed aid to RUSSIA (yes, we still have foreign aid going to them) on hold for a while.

It is time for these whores to learn the golden rule.

Taking an unreasonable position is a reasonable action in this case. The Russians et all have some leverage (the sale of oil is supposedly controlled by those obeying the embargo orders), so they will use it.

It's an irritating speed bump and there are both illegal (i.e. smuggling) and quasi-legal (i.e. "interpretating the embargo rules") ways around it, but it's not suprising that the Russians (et all) would adopt this stance to see what they can get in trade for cooperation. It's the old quid-pro-quo strategy. You always act crazy and beligerant at the start.

We should have a nuclear war against those Russkies.

Where is Joseph Heller when we need him?

Are there alternate opinions out there?

It makes sense that the sanctions not be automaticaaly lifted. The sanctions were against Saddam's regime. We don't know yet who or what will replace Saddam.

Who would we release the oil to?

Anthony, what kind of crack are you on? We're in there now with the Iraqis and will ensure that revenue doesn't go to WMD, the sanctions will only hinder the progress of rebuilding for the Iraqi people.

Leave it to someone on this site to come along and be impervious to common sense. Congratulations Anthony, you get the award for today ;)

Like afghanistan?

What about Afghanistan, Anthony? What is your point? Instead of thinking you've hit on some incredibly clever analogy, go ahead and carry out the entire thought.

Explain the similiarities between the two countries, and then explain how the current economic situations, threats, histories, etc. are comenserate.

The point is that we've made a calculated decision, the sanctions need to be lifted to enable quicker economic progress for rebuilding the country. Instead of drawing really shallow comparisons to other war theatres, explain with empirical arguments why lifting the sanctions would be bad. Can you?

Didn't think so.

Watch how long this position lasts with the Ivans. I give it no more than 36 hours before they flip-flop.