WHAT 1441 REALLY SAID

In Wingnut World, there is the belief that U.N. Resolution 1441 authorized the US to invade Iraq. As is so often the case, this is a false belief. The relevant part of 1441 is paragraph 12, which called for the convening of the Security Council if Saddam did not abide by the current agreement:

12. Decides to convene immediately upon receipt of a report in accordance with paragraphs 4 or 11 above, in order to consider the situation and the need for full compliance with all of the relevant Council resolutions in order to secure international peace and security;

This explains why Bush tried to get explicit authorization from the U.N.:

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is now headed for war -- and is going there without broad international backing, and without many of the traditional alliances and that anchored it in the world for half a century.
President Bush last night ordered Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or face certain attack, clearing the path for a U.S. invasion within days. The ultimatum came hours after the U.S., Britain and Spain withdrew a Security Council resolution authorizing military action, rather than watch it go down to certain defeat.

Endgame: Ceasing Diplomacy, U.S. Nears War --- American Move Jettisons Cooperative Strategies, Weakens Old Alliances --- A New Policy of Pre-Emption
By Carla Anne Robbins. Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Mar 18, 2003. pg. A.1