When is 183 less than 150?

I wish someone could explain the logic the Iraqi’s are using in making their pronouncements about these al-Samoud 2 missiles. First they say the missiles are perfectly legal. Then Tariq Aziz says that it’s not as bad as it sounds. The guidance system is so bad that they can’t even make sure that the missile hits within 20 km of its intended target. Then the missiles are legal again. Then they say they will scrap their stockpile of illegal missiles. Now they want to talk about it for a while.

If this isn’t proof of Saddam’s attempt to circumvent the UN requirements, I don’t know what its going to take. The UN stated a maximum range of 150 km. These missiles can go up to 183 km (they might go the wrong way, but that’s just a minor issue for the Iraqis).

This is a clear violation. No ifs ands or buts about it. We gave them a number, they exceeded it. How will the French, Germans and other Saddam apologists try to convince the world the 183 is less than 150. Or why this violation of a UN mandate is ok (but then I want to know what it will take to make our upcoming violation of a “UN mandate” ok).