# Iraq shoots down Predator...why is this OK? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 24, 2002, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655 "2002-12-24T02:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/21 "2002-12-24T17:13:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBill \* > But there are “only” 80 aircraft on a carrier, the most effective means of delivering that ordnance, and not all of the planes carry bombs. China has more attack aircraft in their little finger. It would be bad ju-ju to attack with even three carrier battle groups in their backyard. Good way to lose three carrier battle groups. Carrier battlegroups rely heavily on AWACS, which are seriously vulnerable, particularly to long range anti-radar missiles. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/22 "2002-12-24T18:38:07Z")
From **k2dave** ’s 2nd link(first line): > [@](#): > > The U.N. orders its weapons inspectors to leave Iraq after the chief inspector reports Baghdad is not fully cooperating with them. Bagdad “not fully cooperating” is not “kicking out”. It’s not just semantics. Also remember that at the time the [CIA was suspected of placing operatives](http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq0223.htm) in the UN inspection teams which could have led to a little less “cooperation”. And I meant **UncleBill** ’s post that notes how unclear the UN mandate has been on the no-fly zones. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/23 "2002-12-24T18:51:48Z")
In fact **k2dave** you should go through [fair.org](http://fair.org) a little more thoroughly. You might have found this: "Here are a few examples of commonly repeated errors: 1. “But as U.N. weapons inspectors prepare to return to Iraq for the first time since Saddam kicked them out in 1998, the U.S. faces a delicate balancing act: transforming the international consensus for disarmament into a consensus for war.” --Randall Pinkston, CBS Evening News (11/9/02). One of the most common media errors on Iraq is the claim that the U.N. weapons inspectors left Iraq in 1998 because they were “kicked out” or “expelled” (Extra! Update, 10/02). The inspectors, led by Richard Butler, actually left voluntarily, knowing that a U.S. bombing campaign was imminent. This was reported accurately throughout the U.S. press at the time: “Butler ordered his inspectors to evacuate Baghdad, in anticipation of a military attack, on Tuesday night” (Washington Post, 12/18/98). " From: [fair.org:Common Myths in Iraq Coverage](http://www.fair.org/activism/iraq-myths.html) ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/24 "2002-12-24T19:02:11Z")
Thats funny, CarnalK. The reason the bombing was imminent was because Saddam wouldnt allow the inspections go on unhindered. The Iraqi military would literally stop the inspection teams from going to a particular site and spy satellites would show covoys of trucks leaving from that site. When the last truck left, then the teams would be allowed in. Yeah Butler left voluntarily. He didnt want to be a hostage when the bombs started dropping. That was conditional upon Saddam allowing unconditional access to suspected sites, which he refused before Butler left. Maybe they werent technically expelled but they were pretty useless there when Saddam said no. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/25 "2002-12-24T19:10:39Z")
“Maybe they werent technically expelled but they were pretty useless there when Saddam said no.” Since this is GQ maybe we should stick to what’s “technically” true and leave the spin to GD. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655/26 "2002-12-24T23:03:03Z")
OK, they specifically violated UNSCR 687, 707, and 1137 when they stalled the inspectors and move material from the inspection site. The US specifically said they would attack. The UN Inspectors left, having been made ineffective by the Iraqi government forces. They were not kicked out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-shoots-down-predator-why-is-this-ok/144655.md?page=1)