The point made was that they were purchased after the UN imposed restrictions on Iraq. Saddam has deployed missile launchers and troops (presently digging in and consolidating positions) around the Northern "No Fly Zone"; Turkey is a NATO member and threatened by Iraq. Germany France and Russia buy most of their oil from Iraq has vetoed any action against Saddam. Therefore, NATO is Split, the UN is Split (and in its usual state of lets debate and impose more sanctions) Saddam is laughing at the UN and USA. Exactly what El Queda wants a very destabilized UN and NATO, with a weakened western economy.