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In Shifting Sands: The Truth about UNSCOM and the Disarming of Iraq (2001)

Director: Scott Ritter

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From Time Out Film Guide

Ritter was the UNSCOM weapons inspector who resigned his post in 1998 in the belief that the team's original UN mandate to disarm Iraq was being deliberately prolonged to keep the heat on Saddam Hussein, irrespective of facts and finds on the ground. His dry detailed documentary talks us through the saga, with an admirable gallery of witnesses (just about everyone except Richard Butler and Madeleine Albright) and occasional in situ video material setting out a dense, convoluted history of intrigue and suspicion on all sides. Ritter's contention is that the Iraqis were disarmed so far as was verifiable, although mysterious games of concealment continued for reasons he can't explain; and that the first impartial and empowered UN mission in Iraq was steadily corrupted by US string-pulling, with Richard Butler deliberately paving the way for the 1998 Anglo-US bombing campaign. It's certainly a useful and corrective history lesson, if not a film with any obvious wider significance.

Author: NB 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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  • Ami-Sue Lawless said...
    Posted on Jan 30 2008 14:35 I wish I could see the film but I have three kids now and it is hard for me to get to the movies! Hey Alex how's it going? Great job! You are so smart! E-mail me sometime love ami-sue
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Cast & crew

Director: Scott Ritter

Producer: Alex Cohn

Cast: Scott Ritter, Rolf Ekeus, Tariq Aziz, Tim Trevan, Lt Gen Amer Rashid, Lt Gen Amer al-Sa'adi, Scott Rosann full cast

Genre(s): Documentaries

Duration: 92 mins


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