The world has united against Iraq. Last week, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to give Baghdad a last chance to disarm. In response, the Iraqi government has opted for "the path of peace" and agreed to accept the resolution "without conditions." That is good news - no one wants war. But Baghdad's acceptance does not mean the world can relax. The Iraqi government has repeatedly lied and obstructed the efforts of arms inspectors. The only way to ensure that the threat posed by Iraq's determination to procure weapons of mass destruction is unceasing vigilance and the commitment to take action when necessary.
After being forced from Kuwait and losing the Persian Gulf War in 1991, Iraq agreed to a series of resolutions as part of the peace agreement. Baghdad said it would provide a full accounting of its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction and provide unconditional and unrestricted access to sites suspected of being involved in the development of those weapons. Iraq promised to end the repression of its civilian population, end links to terrorism, account for third country nationals detained during the war and participate in an oil for food program that restricted exports to ensure that revenues were not used to fund a revamped military. Baghdad has violated every one of those pledges.
Iraq has attempted to hide its WMD arsenal and continued to develop similar weapons. It kicked the U.N. inspectors out in 1998, and has various programs to subvert the trade embargo. It is unclear if Baghdad currently poses a threat to its neighbors, but there should be no doubt about Iraq's intention to be the regional hegemony.