February 25, 2003

It is Already Final Decision

It is Already Final

Decision on war in Iraq, that is. The WaPo has the definitive story today on the state of play regarding last minute UNSC maneuverings. Meanwhile, the NYT's angle is that Dubya has gone back to the UNSC primarily as a favor to Blair.

Keeping in mind that John Bolton is the most hawkish member of Powell's State Department, here is the key language:

"In meetings yesterday with senior officials in Moscow, Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton told the Russian government that "we're going ahead," whether the council agrees or not, a senior administration official said. "The council's unity is at stake here."

A senior diplomat from another council member said his government had heard a similar message and was told not to anguish over whether to vote for war.

"You are not going to decide whether there is war in Iraq or not," the diplomat said U.S. officials told him. "That decision is ours, and we have already made it. It is already final. The only question now is whether the council will go along with it or not."

Looks like a done deal, doesn't it?