Evaluate reactions to the U.N. Resolution

Overview: The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on Friday. The resolution calls for Iraq to allow U.N. Inspectors unrestricted access to determine if the country has weapons of mass destruction. In response, Saddam Hussein called a meeting of the National Assembly in Iraq to discuss the U.N. Resolution. The United States and the rest of the world anticipates Iraq's reaction to the U.N.'s demands.

Have students read "Iraq debates new U.N. resolution" and answer the following questions.

SPECIAL REPORT •  War Tracker •  On the Scene Map •  Commanders: U.S. | Iraq •  Weapons: 3D Models •  Coalition casualties | POW/MIA •  Special Report RESOURCES • CNN.com: Text of U.N. resolution on Iraq  • CNN.com: White House: U.S. doesn't need U.N. permission on Iraq  • CNN.com: Arabs welcome U.N. Iraq edict  • TIME.com: What If Iraq Cooperates?

1. Who is Saddam Hussein? Why has he called an emergency session of Iraq's National Assembly? What will the assembly discuss? After the National Assembly discusses the U.N. Security Council resolution, to what body will the group send its recommendations? Who chairs the Resolution Command Council in Iraq? How is Iraq expected to respond to the U.N.'s demands? Why does CNN's Jane Arraf call compliance to the U.N. resolution a "tall order"?

2. What is the Arab League? How has the league responded to the latest U.N. resolution regarding Iraq? Why is the league's response politically significant?

3. Point out to students that, at an Arab League of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt, Iraq's foreign minister emphasized that the U.N. resolution should respect Iraq's sovereignty. Further, in the video, CNN's Jane Arraf states that sovereignty, security and territorial integrity are "very big items for Iraq... but open to interpretation." Have students consider the meaning of Arraf's statement and how Iraq, the U.S. and the international community might interpret the importance of sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. Then, ask: Do you think it is important that the U.N. resolution respect Iraq's sovereignty? State your rationale.

4. Why is the United States preparing for war with Iraq? What does the broad outline of the U.S. war plan approved by President Bush include? What actions will the United States take if Iraq does not comply with the U.N. resolution to allow inspections and to disarm? Are Washington, D.C. officials optimistic about Iraq's compliance with inspections? Why or why not? Who is Condoleeza Rice? What was National Security Advisor Rice's response to the calling of an emergency meeting of the National Assembly in Iraq? Why does she think a debate in Iraq's parliament on the U.N. resolution is "ludicrous"? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

5. Using the Web sites listed and other multimedia resources, ask each student to prepare a list of the most important points of the resolution and a short paragraph that summarizes what might happen if Iraq does not comply with the U.N. resolution. Generate a class discussion using the following questions:

•What are the most important items in the U.N. resolution regarding Iraq?

•What will most likely happen if Iraq does not comply with one or all of the UN's demands?

•If Iraq complies with the U.N. resolution, should Saddam Hussein be removed from power? If so, in your opinion, how should this be done?

•Do you think Saddam will comply with the resolution? Why or why not?

•Do you think it is necessary to remove Saddam from power in Iraq? Why or why not?