These are not serious people, and they are not serious nations. Thus, we should quit trying to take them seriously:
Sharp opposition, both from Europe and Iraq, was voiced today to a new British proposal setting out six ways for Saddam Hussein to prove his commitment to disarmament and avoid an invasion.
In Paris, the French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, said the plan, which would give United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq a short extension, perhaps to March 24, did not address the key issue of seeking a peaceful end to the showdown with Iraq.
Security Council members are scheduled to meet today to consider the proposal, which is intended to win support for a draft resolution authorizing war against Baghdad.
Mr. de Villepin said France rejected the “logic of ultimatums,” and added in a statement: “It’s not a question of giving Iraq a few more days before committing to using force. It’s about making resolute progress towards peaceful disarmament, as mapped out by inspections that offer a credible alternative to war.”
The Iraqi opposition to ultimatums leading to real disarmament came as a complete surprise- the French opposition less so.