Birds of prey circling the dove of peace

There is still no sign of a breakthrough in the feverish negotiations aimed at staving off an American military strike against Iraq.

Would-be peacemakers are desperately trying to work out a compromise that would be acceptable to both Washington and Baghdad, but are hampered by intransigence on both sides.

Currently their hopes are focused on Kofi Annan. This is undoubtedly the biggest challenge yet faced by the United Nations Secretary-General.

Is it too late to stop the momentum that seems to be leading inexorably toward the use of force? In Baghdad, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is indulging in his usual inflammatory rhetoric of confrontation with the United States. Washington, in turn, seems ready and willing to rise to that bait.

The U.S., an ambivalent supporter of Saddam during the Iran- Iraq war, now finds itself, for the second time this decade, facing him in a tense military stand-off. The first time around, Washington threw the full weight of its military power against Iraq. But Saddam has manifestly lived to fight another day.

Despite the strident publicity emanating from the Pentagon, this latest bid to bring the Iraqi leader to heel is going to be more hazardous than the U.S. defense establishment would care to admit.

The UN sanctions have been painful for the Iraqi people. A military strike will only cause them more pain. But can it sap the resilience of Saddam? Can it deprive him of his weapons of mass destruction? Is it possible that a peace mission by Mr. Annan could succeed? These are the continuing dilemmas in a situation where birds of prey from both sides are circling the dove of peace.

-- The Hong Kong Standard