United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) Mandate:

The Commission's mandate is the following: to carry out immediate on-site inspections of Iraq's biological, chemical and missile capabilities; to take possession for destruction, removal or rendering harmless of all chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all related sub-systems and components and all research, development, support and manufacturing facilities; to supervise the destruction by Iraq of all its ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 km and related major parts, and repair and production facilities; and to monitor and verify Iraq's compliance with its undertaking not to use, develop, construct or acquire any of the items specified above. The Commission is also requested to assist the Director General of IAEA, which, under resolution 687, has been requested to undertake activities similar to those of the Commission but specifically in the nuclear field. Further, the Commission is entrusted to designate for inspection any additional site necessary for ensuring the fulfillment of the mandates given to the Commission and IAEA.

United Nations Monitoring Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC):

The United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) was created through the adoption of Security Council resolution 1284 of 17 December 1999. UNMOVIC replaced the former UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) and continued with the mandate to verify Iraq's compliance with its obligation to be rid of its weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological weapons and missiles with a range of more than 150 km), and to operate a system of ongoing monitoring and verification to ascertain that Iraq did not reacquire the same weapons prohibited to it by the Security Council.

Now George, et al, read through the above and tell me where it says that either organization has to find anything. Read through the above and tell me where it says that either organization has to search for anything.

The mandate issued to both UNSCOM and UNMOVIC was agreed and written by the United Nations, UNMOVIC was composed of UN employees. The mandate was written on the firm understanding that both bodies were to receive full and pro-active support from the Iraqi Government.

Dianavan says – "Since no WMD's were found, it was necessary to use the presence of Al Qaeda in Iraq as a reason for the overthrow and occupation of Iraq."

This is a gross over simplification designed to deceive. It paints a completely false picture. There were a whole raft of outstanding resolutions stacked against Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime, WMD happened to be just one of the subjects covered. UN Security Council Resolution 1441 covered all previous resolutions and their subject matter. For anyone to latch onto one and then state that that was the only reason is preposterous. But go back and take a look at how the media covered it.

Oh but wait a minute George says – "We have all of us heard the various pronouncements, announcements, read the articles and watched the videos, for 6 years now. It's silly to say to anyone "...read about Iraq's WMD. Read what UNSCOM said about them. Read what the UN Security Council Resolutions relating to all aspects of them stated. Read exactly what UNMOVIC's terms of reference and mission statement was." Hey, we've all been there and done that." – Unfortunately George you apparently have not.

A similar misunderstanding exists with regard to "The Axis of Evil". If polled most would say that "The Axis of Evil" referred to Iraq – Iran - North Korea, they would be wrong, but again that is down to how it has been reported. The Axis of Evil actually refers to the combination of Rogue State – WMD – International Terrorism. At the time Iraq, Iran and North Korea were the leading, but not the only, contenders for the "Rogue State" part of the equation.

Oh and George as for:

"increasingly more and more people subscribe to the opposite interpretation to yours, Teribus. The trend is clear."

George if that interpretation is wrong is does not matter one jot how many people share it - it is still wrong irrespective of what the "trend is". Trends are followed - mostly by sheep.