and they relied on UN Resolution 1441 and that made everything OK makes no sense.
1441 reinstated the UN inspection team -- which determined shortly before we invaded Iraq that Hussein was cooperating sufficiently and that no evidence of WMDs or violations of 1441 had been found. 1441 also stated that the UN would retain jurisdiction over the matter (remain seized of it). 1441 also, among other things:
. . .
1. Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its
obligations under relevant resolutions, including resolution 687 (1991), in particular
through Iraq’s failure to cooperate with United Nations inspectors and the IAEA,
and to complete the actions required under paragraphs 8 to 13 of resolution 687
(1991);
. . .
3. Decides that, in order to begin to comply with its disarmament
obligations, in addition to submitting the required biannual declarations, the Government of Iraq shall provide to UNMOVIC, the IAEA, and the Council, not later than 30 days from the date of this resolution, a currently accurate, full, and complete declaration of all aspects of its programmes to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and other delivery systems such
as unmanned aerial vehicles and dispersal systems designed for use on aircraft, including any holdings and precise locations of such weapons, components, subcomponents, stocks of agents, and related material and equipment, the locations and work of its research, development and production facilities, as well as all other
chemical, biological, and nuclear programmes, including any which it claims are for purposes not related to weapon production or material;
4. Decides that false statements or omissions in the declarations submitted by Iraq pursuant to this resolution and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, this resolution shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations and will be reported to the Council for assessment in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 below;
. . .
13. Recalls, in that context, that the Council has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;
14. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/682/26/PDF/N0268226.pdf?OpenElementAbout the closest Resolution 1441 comes to authorizing war is this vague statement:
Recalling that its resolution 678 (1990) authorized Member States to use all necessary means to uphold and implement its resolution 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990 and all relevant resolutions subsequent to resolution 660 (1990) and to restore international peace and security in the area,
But, in light of the language about reinstating the inspections and obtaining a report from them and remaining "seized of the matter," 1441 did not authorize war especially since, according to the May 2004 article The Path to War in Vanity Fair, the UN inspectors determined that Saddam was not in violation of the previous UN resolutions and did not have WMDs.