No signs yet whether they’re actually serious about sending in thousands of inspectors, presumably with armed support. One attentive reader writes that the
official French radio news service, Radio France International, says that there is no German or French plan, only “elements for reflection,” or “les elements de reflection.” The news announcer also says that the “plan” previously revealed in Der Spiegel has dissolved in “cacophony.” The piece then goes on to note the French denial that there’s a plan at all. After that there’s information about a German domestic legislative presentation of the plan on Thursday, and a Security Council presentation of whatever there is to present on Friday. I listened at 5:30 p.m. New York time on Sunday. Really, three-card Monte would be easier to keep track of than all this.
I doubt it’s serious. The whole game now is to throw obstacles in front of the war preparation so that the window of operation – before April – is closed. France and Germany are not interested in disarming Saddam in any meaningful sense. They’re interested in the pretense of disarmament so that their trade ties with Saddam can recommence, and the United States can be rebuffed. I’ll believe the evidence of their commitment to Saddam’s disarmament when I see it.
A PEACE SIGN?: That’s how the New York Times is describing the Churchill “V for Victory” sign, as featured on a fashion week sweater. The reporter is lucky Winston is not still alive.
The Dish 