March 3, 2003. Copyright, 2003, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Mild-mannered man who holds key to war
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, March 3, Graphic News:  Amid the chorus of voices clamouring to be heard on Iraq, that of one key player remains restrained. But then, asked his opinion on the best way to deal with Saddam Hussein by journalists last year, chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said: ÒMy habit is not to shout.Ó

As the inspections by Unmovic enter their fifth month without providing the goods to justify a war, there are many in Washington who wish Blix would conduct less polite diplomacy and do a little more shouting. The 74-year-old Swede has asked Baghdad to destroy Al Samoud missiles that exceed UN limits but he has also asked for more time to look around.

Blix, a courtly gentleman and distinguished academic who was a UN veteran before taking up his post in March 2000, infuriates hawks by treading softly where others would have donned hobnail boots long ago. His team has attended Òcultural sensitivityÓ courses to smooth ties with Iraqis, and Blix insists their mission is not to ÒhumiliateÓ or ÒprovokeÓ. But the jury is still out as to whether his is the best strategy to deal with a state that has deceived the world -- and Blix -- before.

During BlixÕs 16-year tenure at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iraq hid an advanced nuclear weapons programme from the world. The Swede later admitted: ÒIt is correct to say the IAEA was fooled by Iraq.Ó But the criticism of Blix does not stop at his work with nuclear weapons: after Blix was lured out of retirement by Kofi Annan, SwedenÕs former prime minister Per Ahlmark told the Washington Times his onetime foreign minister was Òa wimpÓ.

Of course, it may be that Blix is misunderstood. Born in the ancient Swedish town of Uppsala in 1928, the Swede is a rare beast in modern global politics: an internationalist with an acute knowledge of constitutional law and an innate respect for all sovereign states, even Iraq. And while it is true that Blix might prevaricate because he does not want to be the man to start a war over a locked bunker in the desert, those who know him agree that his primary concern is upholding the sanctity of international institutions, such as the Security Council.

The brilliant career aside, little is known about Blix. He is said to eschew the glittering social occasions that go with diplomatic life. He is married and has many interests, including hiking in remote areas such as Tibet and Antarctica. He enjoys fine wine and good conversation. His persona is certainly more palatable to the Iraqis than those of previous inspectors. But some have pointed out that his low key approach contains other dangers: if U.S. patience runs out, how hard would it be to cast Hans Blix as the scapegoat?
/ENDS