UN INSPECTORS ASKED TO LEAVE IRAQ
Time grows short. Saddam could avoid war only by leaving Iraq for exile but facing assassination from his uncounted enemies in the Arab world and prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity he is likely to try to fight it out. Ironically, he could checkmate both possibilities by asking for asylum from the Saudi’s and retiring to Mecca where the Saudis would be loathe to extradite him into western hands due to the Arab tradition of giving guests sanctuary and the religious implications of such a move. Unlikely perhaps but one of Saddam’s few potential escape routes.