Iraq Declaration

Overview: Iraq delivered its declaration on its weapons of mass destruction to U.N. inspectors in Baghdad on Saturday. Iraqi officials say the dossier proves that Iraq doesn't have illegal weapons, but U.S. officials are hesitant to believe this assertion.

Have students read "Iraqi weapons declaration in U.N. hands" and answer the following questions:

RESOURCES • CNN.com: Weapons report accurate, says Iraq  • CNN.com: Iraq hands over arms declaration  • Gallery: Iraq shows arms report to journalists   • Interactive: Inside the al-Sujud palace

1. What report did Iraq issue to U.N. weapons inspectors this weekend? What information is supposed to be contained in the report? How does the nearly 12,000-page declaration respond to U.S. and British allegations that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction? According to former U.N. weapons inspector David Kay, why might the weapons inspection process be a "dead-end trap"?

2. How has the Bush administration responded to the Iraqi weapons declaration? Why are many U.S. officials skeptical about the report? What is the U.S. government's policy regarding material breaches by Iraq?

3. Point out to students that, at the end of the video, Sen. Joe Lieberman warns that taking too long to respond to the Iraq issue could jeopardize U.S. credibility, or worse, enable Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to use weapons of mass destruction if in fact he has them. Have students consider the validity of Lieberman's assertions. Ask students: If the Iraqi declaration is proven to be false, how should the U.S. respond to the situation? Do you think the U.S. should take military action against Iraq? Why or why not? If so, how long should the U.S. wait before taking action? If not, what additional information/evidence (if any) should the U.S. have before deciding whether to begin strikes against Iraq?