The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
The Iraq Debate
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec02/iraq_9-12.html

President George Bush Speech:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec02/bush_text.html

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan Speech:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec02/annan_text.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the key message that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is trying to convey in his U.N. speech?

2. Summarize the key points of President Bush's speech to the U.N. What do you think are the main objectives of the Bush administration with regard to U.S. policy towards Iraq?

3. What demands do Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Bush make on the Iraqi regime?

4. How does President Bush characterize the Iraqi regime? Do you think he has presented a convincing case against Saddam Hussein? Explain.

5. What connections does President Bush make between lessons learned from 9-11 and dealing with the Iraqi regime?

6. What role should the U.S. play in dealing with the Iraqi threat?

7. What do you think motivated President Bush to speak to the U.N. about the Iraqi regime? On what issues do the U.S. and the international community converge and diverge?

8. What role should the U.N. play in resolving tension over Iraq?

9. In your view, what will be the consequences of U.S. inaction in Iraq?

Comparing and Contrasting Viewpoints

10. Compare and contrast the viewpoints and attitudes of James Schlesinger, Harold Brown, Donald McHenry, and Patricia Schroeder. Summarize their varying interpretations of President Bush's speech as well as their opinions on the Iraq debate.