Scott Ritter on Bombing Iraq
Transcript - Ref. No.: 6056
Channel 4 News Wednesday 16th December 1998
US/UK/Iraq:
..."I'm dead set against this military strike. I think Iraq must be held
accountable but I think a military strike even of a three-day nature, a
massive strike that will inflict grievous harm on Iraq, will not solve the
disarmament issue..."
Extracts from comment by Scott Ritter (former UN weapons inspector) and
Denis Halliday (ex-UNHCR co-ordinator for Iraq)
David Smith (Channel 4 US correspondent):
"As for the very serious business of military action, our understanding is
that the Americans are looking at a two to three day minimum air campaign,
not pin prick strikes as in the past but heavy, sustained bombing..."
Presenter (Alex Thomson):
"Scott Ritter, what's your betting: bombing tonight?"
Scott Ritter:
"I think that it's inevitable that there will be military action
tonight...Iraq failed to live up to its obligations and the US feels that
it's time to strike...I'm dead set against this military strike. I think
Iraq must be held accountable but I think a military strike even of a
three-day nature, a massive strike that will inflict grievous harm on Iraq,
will not solve the disarmament issue, will only make innocent Iraqi people
suffer more and in the end will backfire and allow Saddam Hussein to
generate international support and eventually he'll get sanctions lifted and
keep the weapons. This is a bad idea, it's a bad time and I don't think we
should do this at this point in time."
Denis Halliday:
"I tend to agree with Mr Ritter. This is a policy which I think is a tragic
mistake. Last month the Pentagon estimated ten thousand additional Iraqis
would be killed if there were to be military strikes. It will further damage
civilian infrastructure, which is the cause of the humanitarian crisis we
have right now. Furthermore, it will strengthen President Saddam Hussein,
not only in Iraq amongst his people but amongst the entire Arab/Islamic
world."
---- END OF TRANSCRIPT ----
Transcripts are typed from a recording and not copied from the original
script. Because of the possibility of mis-hearing and the difficulty, in
some cases, of identifying individual speakers, MTS cannot vouch for their
total accuracy although every possible care is taken during the
transcription process.
Transcribed by: Susan Stott, M. T. S., "The Briars" 12 Crescent Road,
Birkdale, Southport. PR8 4SR
=====
Susan & David Stott
Media Transcription Service
Birkdale, Southport, United Kingdom
e-mail: mts@gn.apc.org
The Media Monitoring Service for
Peace, Human Rights and the Environment
Phone/Fax: +44 (0)1704 563 092
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