Analyze the history of U.N.-Iraq relations

Overview: Two days of talks between the chief U.N. weapons inspectors and high-level Iraqi officials gave the inspectors hope that Iraq had finally begun to fully cooperate, but U.S. officials dismissed that hope as too little, too late.

After students read "Iraq pledges more cooperation with U.N. inspectors" and watch the first segment of CNN Student News (the video can be accessed fromCNNStudentNews.com) pose the following questions:

RESOURCES • CNN.com: Showdown: Iraq  • CNN.com: White House dismisses inspectors' optimism  • UNSCOM

1. Why did U.N. weapons inspectors and high-level Iraqi officials recently meet in Baghdad? Who are Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei? What were their reactions to the talks? How has U.S. National Security adviser Condoleezza Rice responded to Blix and ElBaradei's request that the U.N. be allowed more time to conduct its weapons inspections? What is Iraq's position the weapons inspections? What is the next step in this diplomatic process?

2. Refer student groups to multimedia resources, including the links below, to research relations between Iraq and the United Nations since 1991. Have students focus on the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) and its mandate to inspect Iraq's weapon sites. As groups share their findings, create a timeline depicting the key events that have shaped this relationship. Then ask students: Has UNSCOM been effective in verifying Iraq's obligation to destroy its weapons of mass destruction? Why do you think that, in the past, Saddam Hussein repeatedly defied the U.N., in spite of the risk of attack on his country? Given the history of U.N.-Iraq relations, what do you think the next step should be with regard to Iraq: diplomacy or military intervention? State your rationale.