The world can count a small victory Wednesday. One day after Iraq’s parliament voted unanimously to reject the resolution ordering compliance with United Nations’ directives, Saddam Hussein conceded.

He would not have done so without enormous pressure from the United Nations and the United States. While the victory is good, it won’t last if this shared pressure subsides.

Saddam and his parliament do not want arms inspectors in their country. They don’t want to disarm their weapons. They have made that perfectly clear, not just in past months, but for years.

And although they say they welcome the world’s aggression, Saddam’s concession signals otherwise.

That’s why it’s so important to keep up the pressure. Not just U.N. and U.S. pressure on Iraq, but U.S. pressure on the U.N. to stand firm.

For too many years the United Nations sent sternly worded letters to Iraq, requesting compliance, but never followed up with significant action. The letters went unheeded.

Only after the United States, with President Bush in the lead, promising — not merely threatening — military action has Saddam responded. And only after repeated warnings.

“The world expects Saddam Hussein to disarm for the sake of peace,” Bush said, and if he refuses, “we will have a coalition of the willing with us” to force inspections and disarmament.

Saddam has a history of trading acquiescence for resistance. We now have his attention. To keep it, the pressure must remain high and the world must be ready to move if he falters.
United support
United Way chapters across Maine are struggling to meet their campaign goals for 2002. The economy has something to do with that, with fewer people able to give. At the same time, a poor economy means more services are needed and the United Way must fulfill greater demand.

Donations are essential to keep current services afloat.

The United Way is an agency devoted to assisting children, families and the elderly with community services. It doesn’t offer services directly, but funds other nonprofit agencies, like Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the YMCA and the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project.

It finances services to combat addictions, help teens stay out of trouble, provide home visits to the elderly and help parents raise their children. It is an agency that truly serves the entire community.

According to the United Way of Androscoggin County, funding assistance reaches about a third of county populations. That’s a good reach and one worth sustaining.

We encourage people who are able to donate to the United Way to do so.
jmeyer@sunjournal.com