The oil-for-food plan, for example, gave Iraq as much freedom of movement as Baghdad might be trusted with exercising under international supervision.

Unfortunately, the message that the Afghan draft constitution is giving Iraq is the wrong one.

It gives Iraq 30 days to present a full declaration of all aspects of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs.

And finally, as some suggest, the remainder could be kept in a special fund to be given Iraq once it is rid of Saddam Hussein.

The statement came only hours after France proposed giving Iraq roughly 30 days to comply with inspections.

The United Nations gives Iraq until January 15, 1991 to withdraw from Kuwait, or face military action.

"The election will give Iraq and Iraqis more strength," he said.

When President Bush set the deadline of noon today for the pullout to begin, he gave Iraq one week to complete it.

Britain offered a compromise to give Iraq until March 17 to disarm.

"This is giving Iraq what it has tried to get for years - a stronger superpower involvement," a European diplomat said.