Who Really Built Saddam?

The West made Saddam Hussain. The soviet arms mill defence. But, by handing him everything from chemical weapons to ballistic missiles and the makings of a nuclear bomb, America and Europe transformed a two-bit dictator into a world class threat.

Some goods from Europe fell into Saddam's hands as customs officials slept at the switch. Other European goods were supplied with a nod and a wink by nations hungry for Iraqi oil or greedy for trade.

The US government is equally responsible. It deliberately traded with Saddam so that Iraq would not lose its war against Iran. America did not want the Ayatollah Khoemeini's fundamentalist Islamic government to dominate West Asia.

In addition, American trade officials, dazzled by the business Europeans were doing, assiduously sought Iraqi commerce. And State Department specialists - from the height of their "expertise" in Arab culture - mistakenly declared Saddam "a force for moderation" who could be "worked with."

Here is a shocking account of a decade of appeasement.

1980. On September 17, war begins when Iraq bombs Iran with Soviet-built MiGs. Iran is soon smashing back with Americans- made Phantom F-4 fighter bombers originally supplied to the deposed Shah.

France announces it will honour its agreement to sell Iraq $1.6 thousands million worth of arms. More important, France and Italy maintain their commitment to help Saddam develop the "peaceful" Osiraq nuclear reactor's capability. "The government," opines the French daily le Monde, "cannot take the risk of annoying this oil-producing country"

1981. In late May, French scientists conclude that Saddam's nearly completed Osiraq reactor could potentially manufacture nuclear weapons. One week later, French President Francois Mitterrand promises to supply the reactors with uranium fuel.

On June 7, Israeli aircraft strike the Osiraq plant, robbing Saddam of the bomb he wanted. Saudi Arabia offers to finance the building of the reactor. George Bush, then vice-president, is among, the Western leaders "de-ploring" the strike.