FACING DOWN A DESPOT

(6 of 6)

So is there a diplomatic way out? In an interview last week with TIME, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz claimed to see one. "If the American government would give the green light to the Secretary-General of the U.N. to consider Iraq's request [to modify the leadership of the U.N. inspection team], there will be no crisis," he said. "We will reciprocate in a reasonable and positive manner."

But the white-maned, wily Aziz--who has served as Saddam's kinder, gentler face for 18 years now--is a p.r. master. As he well knows, the apparently simple solution he prescribes is unacceptable to the U.S. because it would allow a renegade state to change the terms of an official U.N. commission. Saddam has shown no sign of wanting a deal to get the inspectors back in. He wants delays, and brinkmanship, and time to do whatever it is he's doing in those off-limits labs. In the end, his actions suggest, he is again willing to risk war.

"After seven years of sanctions, you get desperate," said Aziz, although his boss isn't desperate enough to let the inspectors back in. "Another wave of missiles makes no difference to the Iraqi people or the Iraqi government."

Aziz is half right. Saddam's regime has so far managed to survive and even thrive despite all the American assaults. But Saddam's people haven't fared so well. They deserve to be pitied for the miseries he is ready to bring upon them again.

--Reported by William Dowell/New York, Dean Fischer and Mark Thompson/Washington and Douglas Waller aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz

For more information, see our special report on Iraq at time.com