EXCEPT THAT WE AREN'T BOBBING WITH HIM (NOR WEAVING):

Iraq's way: pledge and retreat: By meeting with UN arms experts, Iraq hopes to divide the Security Council. (Peter Grier, October 01, 2002, The Christian Science Monitor)

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is playing classic bob-and-weave diplomacy as he attempts to avoid or delay UN Security Council action against him.

By first saying that UN weapons inspectors could return with no preconditions, and then rejecting any new UN rules governing the inspectors' work, Mr. Hussein appears to be returning to the old pattern of strategic obfuscation that marked many of his actions both before and after the 1991 Gulf War.

In this instance, he is likely trying to widen existing political splits among the Security Council's big powers. If past actions are any indication, he may retreat and give in only when - or if - the UN can decide on a united plan of action.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 30, 2002 8:34 PM