Bush Administration Considering Military Intervention to Overthrow Saddam Hussein - 2002-04-29

The Bush administration is considering the possibility of overthrowing Saddam Hussein through military intervention - 2002-04-29. While one million Iraqis, at the request of the government, celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of Saddam Hussein's birth alongside leaders of the ruling Ba'ath Party, two American newspapers reported that the Bush administration is examining the possibility of toppling Saddam Hussein in Iraq through military intervention. The New York Times and the Boston Globe have stated that the Bush administration is focusing on the possibility of a heavy airstrike and a ground invasion of Iraq. According to one report, such an attack could occur within the next few months, while another report suggests that this action may be postponed until next year. Neither the White House nor Baghdad has commented on this matter. The New York Times, citing an unnamed official, reported that the White House turned to a military solution after concluding that a coup could not overthrow Saddam Hussein. According to this official, the White House has also recognized the ineffectiveness of using local forces. The New York Times writes that until recently, the White House intended to confront Iraq this year. According to this scenario, the U.S. government would demonstrate Saddam's unwillingness to allow the return of international weapons inspectors to Iraq for the United Nations before a military attack. This solution, according to the New York Times, caused division within the Bush administration.