Help! I'm writing an article and I need to remember my facts [View All]

[Selwynn]

Right as I was typing this, I suddenly remembered that I think cooperative research has an Iraq time line that might help me. But here is my question anyway:

I am writing and article - this makes an argument that some will probably disagree with, but I'd like you to set that aside for now if you can, because my question is simply about facts. The main thesis of my article is: while nothing excuses the horror, mismanagement, tyranny and lies of this Administration, our current occupation of Iraq has eschewed a larger problem: the utter ineffectiveness of the UN. My argument is not that the UN is bad in theory, nor that we should pull out of the UN, nor is it an argument for unilateralist imperialistic US action. However, I point out the problems inherent in "multilateralism" as well as the ways in which the UN has not lived up to the dream - and I place blame for that in many places, some on the US (for vetoing practically everything) and some elsewhere.

The facts I want to know are these: the UN's stance prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The way I remember it, when Bush was making the case for action against Iraq, the United Nations wanted to pass a new resolution outlining specific standards that Saddam Hussein had to comply with, pertaining to weapons inspections primarily (was there anything else?)

The way I remember it, at first the Bush Administration said it would support a resolution that included an ultimatum - consequences for non-compliance with the resolution would be the authorization of military force. I seem to remember that that element was rejected by others who wanted a resolution first, then a separate resolution authorizing force if there was agreement that Saddam was in continued non-compliance. And then the Bush Administration refused to go along with that and went alone.

Am I remembering that basically correctly? Any links to specifics?
Thanks!
Sel