UN resolution specifically says all ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres and related major parts should be destroyed, but what was never made clear in the resolution was whether that meant 150 kilometers in range with or without the warhead and missile guidance system. As a result, we may be looking at the longest 30 kilometers in history, in that they may define whether the UN supports inspections or supports war.
Obviously, at some point Iraqi scientists were tasked to create a missile that would function just within the limit of what is acceptable according to the UN. The problem, of course, is that you cannot create missiles that travel armed up to ~140 km without also creating a missile capable of going over the 150 km limit without a payload. If Iraq's intent was to clearly violate limits, why didn't they build SCUD-B missiles such as they used to have, with a range of up to 300 km?
It looks unlikely that Hans Blix is going to budge on this issue, so basically, Iraq needs to dump a major, deployed missile system on the verge of being invaded... or else he will be invaded.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
