Since When Did We Request Permission to Fly U-2 Missions?

In an interesting turn of events, UN weapons inspector Hans Blix has relayed the Iraqi message that American U-2s are not welcome over Iraq, whether to help the UN mission, or just to spy, in general.

Iraq was asked to allow the U-2 flights, as part of that country's acquiescence in Blix's hunt for weapons of mass destruction, which Iraq denies it has (and which the rest of the world is trying to find).

Iraq didn't give a blanket thumbs-down to the proposal for the 'long-wing F-104s' to do surveillance work; it reportedly said it would be OK for the high-fliers to pass, if the US and Britain would just stop patrolling the no-fly zones.

Iraq 'graciously' offered to accompany the U-2s, with her own military aircraft -- that would allow the Iraqi Air Force access to the no-fly zones, of course. The US and Britain are not about to turn over that airspace any time soon, so the U-2s aren't welcome. "It's still a spy plane," Iraq noted.

The question is, 'do we need Iraqi permission to fly the Dragon Lady?' Did we ask permission of the Soviet Union? Do we ask permission of North Korea? Pakistan? India? Libya? Uruguay?

"We cannot be responsible for the safety of the U.N. plane and the crew," the Iraqi spokesman said. The UN doesn't have any U-2s, for one thing (although the proposed flights would bear UN markings); and, who said anyone wanted Iraq to "be responsible for the safety" of the plane and crew?

It is also unclear, whether Iraq has any credible military means to deny such flights.

FMI: www.defenselink.mil