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September 12, 2002
SENATOR ROCKEFELLER REACTS TO PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH BEFORE THE U.N. PRESENTING THE CASE FOR ACTION AGAINST IRAQ
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, before the United Nations General Assembly, President Bush formally outlined why the United Nations must act ‘deliberately and decisively' against Iraq. The following is reaction by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).
"There is no doubt that Iraq poses a very real threat to our national security. Iraq's failure to cooperate with U.N. arms inspections is not just a threat to the U.S., it is a threat to the entire world.
"The president made a solid case today for why Saddam Hussein remains a threat to the international community. He reminded the world that since the end of the Gulf War, Iraq has repeatedly violated all 16 U.N. resolutions toward peace, and the U.N.’s own credibility is now at stake.
"The president made clear what Iraq must do. It must destroy all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles. It must end support for terrorist groups. It must cease the persecution of its own people, return Gulf War personnel whose fate is still unknown, return any stolen property from the invasion of Kuwait, and end illegal trade outside the U.N.’s oil-for-food program. If Iraq complies with these U.N. demands, peace can be preserved, and our safety assured.
"The president has also wisely recognized the need to make the case to the American people before taking any action, and I expect there to be full debate within the Congress as soon as the president is ready to submit a resolution on Iraq. Other issues remain to be explored.
"While the president outlined Saddam Hussein’s efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, I think American people will want to hear in clear terms why that poses a threat not just to other countries in the Middle East but also to the United States.
"Another tough issue is how we would establish a post-Saddam government in Iraq that would not pose a threat to U.S. interests nor represent an unending drain on U.S. resources. This would be an enormous and expensive task and we will want broad international support for the rebuilding efforts afterward.
"And, finally we need to remember that we are already engaged in a war. The war on terrorism has no borders – and it is an ongoing global struggle that we must see through to the end. We need to be sure we’re able to handle action against Saddam Hussein simultaneous with our ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism.
"As the president has said, military action may be our only choice, but it should not be undertaken lightly. Eliminating the regime of Saddam Hussein will not be a simple or easy task, nor will it be without serious cost or risk of life. As the president made clear, Iraq has the option of peace – but if they do not meet their commitments, the U.S. may have no choice but to take action."
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