First, Push for Inspections

The Bush administration needs a policy on Iraq more detailed than intense dislike of its dictator, Saddam Hussein. The place for that policy to start is not with toppling Hussein, at least not until there’s a much better picture of what that would entail and what kind of regime would succeed him. Begin by insisting that U.N. weapons inspectors be readmitted by the end of summer and allowed to inspect anything, anywhere, at any time. Allies skeptical about overthrowing Hussein can get behind an inspection demand.

In his commencement address to West Point cadets Saturday, President Bush spoke of “preemptive action” against terrorist threats, not mentioning Iraq by name and not needing to. Bush’s father built the coalition that drove Iraqi invaders out of Kuwait, but he did not try to oust the tyrant, believing the Iraqis would do that themselves. Instead, Hussein crushed his foes. Then, Iraq allegedly plotted to murder the first President Bush. George W. Bush took office surrounded by aides believing a “regime change” in Iraq was necessary to take care of unfinished business.

Hussein dropped poison gas on his own people when he believed them a threat to his rule and refrained from using chemical weapons in the Gulf War 11 years ago only because he feared the U.S. pledge of overwhelming retaliation if he did. He lost the war but retained his iron grip. If he believed the current U.S. threats to remove him, he would have little motivation not to use chemical or biological weapons this time.

Last month the United Nations revamped its sanctions against Iraq to bar its purchase, without specific approval, of products with potential military use. In return, the Persian Gulf nation was promised permits to import food and medicine more easily.

Last year Russia threatened to veto a similar plan in the U.N. Security Council. Not this time. Since Sept. 11, Russia and the United States have emphasized similarities in their interests. Though Moscow is concerned about an attack on Iraq, it has not opposed the return of weapons inspectors.

If the Security Council insists that Iraq stop stalling, Hussein has the choice of living without weapons of mass destruction--or risking his life in a war trying to keep them.

The Bush administration keeps looking for Iraqi exiles who may be able to get enough support inside the country to help topple the tyrant, although that quest has been futile so far. Hussein’s brutal security forces and spies keep turning up real and imagined foes to be tortured and executed.

Hussein should not be allowed to keep developing and stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. Intelligence agencies say that’s exactly what he’s doing; their reports gain credibility from Baghdad’s refusal to admit inspectors. If the door stays barred, Washington will have more support from its allies in Europe and elsewhere for other options.