Hawkmoon,
Re: Lest you conveniently attempt to block the reality, it was the US and UK who led the efforts to contain, and possibly overthrow Saddam, but who constantly were constrained themselves by their "allies" who wanted the UNSC to work their "magic"..
Let's start in 1959. The CIA contacted a street thug named Saddam Hussein in Baghdad with a list of leftists and communist sympathizers that the CIA wanted eliminated. Hussein's first "bag job" for the Agency.
1963, Hussein continues to be supported by the CIA, to the extent that the Agency pays for Hussein's apartment via a third party. After a failed coup attempt, the CIA pays for an apartment for Saddam Hussein while in exile in Beirut.
Continuing throughout the 1960's and 1970's, Hussein continues to be fed information on assassination targets of the CIA and receives financial backing.
1980's -- the U.S. provides precursor chemicals, biowarfare plant and equipment, technical support, targetting support against Iran and food aid for a job well done. Furthermore, the Reagan Administration eliminates Iraq from a list of terrorist nations, ending boycotts on war materials during the Iran-Iraq war.
The fact is, Hussein was largely tolerated and encouraged by the CIA and the Republican administrations since 1980.
OTOH, I've always been in the camp that wanted him eliminated. Unfortunately, the U.S. government found him to be just too useful to eliminate. |
