In the end, it was all down to the deal brokered by Russia Wednesday and dont think Moscow isnt going to crow about it. Without any use of violence, any use of weapons, without a show of force, it was achieved through diplomatic means, said Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov after the emergency middle-of-the-night meeting between permanent Security Council members in Geneva.
Saddam and his parliament seem satisfied that the Russians will work on their behalf to implement the crucial article 22 of U.N. resolution 687 which, of course, you know by heart and its promise to end sanctions once Iraqs weapons of mass destruction are neutralized. Saddams happy because he gets to look heroic to the Iraqi people, and didnt have to deal directly with the hated Americans. Clinton should be happy, because he didnt blink and the return of inspectors is unconditional. Whod have thought a rational solution in the Gulf that doesnt involve cruise missiles.