Last week I was inspired by a James Tarranto “Best of the Web” e-mail to do some research on past “last chances” regarding Iraq, and James of OTB promised I would be forthcoming with some more examples. I haven’t finished my research, but here are a couple of déjà vu-esque stories for your reading pleasure:

Déjà vu One: Where Have I Heard this Before?

But American officials and representatives of the special commission said the report was irrelevant because the real issue was unfettered access to all sites in Iraq that might harbor weapons of mass destruction. The report came just hours after the arrival here of Secretary General Kofi Annan for talks with the Iraqis that are seen as the last chance to avoid an American military strike. Talks begin on Saturday and are expected to extend into Monday.

[…]

By manipulating the sites in a shell game, a United Nations official said today, Iraq is trying to drive a wedge between the special commission and the United Nations.

Date: Feb 21, 1998

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The New York TimesSECTION: Section A; Page 4; Column 1; Foreign Desk
HEADLINE: STANDOFF WITH IRAQ: IN BAGHDAD; U.N. Team Calls Iraq Sites Smaller Than Thought
BYLINE: By BARBARA CROSSETTE
DATELINE: BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 21, 1998

Déjà vu Two: At Least the French are Consistent: Paper Trumps Force

European allies warmly hailed the accord brought back from Baghdad tonight by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Even before President Clinton had given his view on the agreement, President Jacques Chirac of France approved of it. In a 35-minute telephone call, the two leaders agreed that it was all right, said Mr. Chirac’s spokeswoman, Catherine Colonna. “According to the information now in their possession, the accord which was signed appears to comply entirely with the United Nations resolutions and abides by the recommendations made by the five permanent members of the Security Council,” she said.

Date: Feb 23, 1998

The New York Times

HEADLINE: THE DEAL ON IRAQ: THE ALLIES;Europeans Offer Praise For Accord With Iraq
SECTION: Section A; Page 11; Column 2; Foreign Desk
BYLINE: By CRAIG R. WHITNEY
DATELINE: PARIS, Feb. 23, 1998

Well, at least the work of the Secretary General was worthwhile, and that four years later Saddam disarmed…

The first in an ongoing series…

One Response to “Déjà vu: Iraq.”

1. Anonymous Says:
   August 10th, 2024 at 10:29 am