02 February 1998
COHEN: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL SHOULD REMAIN UNITED ON IRAQ
(U.S. would cooperate with Israel in event of Gulf action) (950) By Jacquelyn S. Porth USIA Security Affairs Correspondent Washington -- Defense Secretary Cohen says "the best solution" to the current situation in Iraq is for the United Nations weapons inspectors to have "unfettered access" to all suspect Iraqi sites and for the U.N. Security Council "to remain united" by supporting "strong condemnation" of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "I find it rather hard to accept the proposition that individual (U.N.) members cannot bring themselves to declare Saddam to be in significant breach of his obligation," Cohen said February 2. "I find it hard to fathom how they can seek to walk away from their own resolutions in terms of what he has done and what he has failed to do." At a Pentagon news conference called to deal with the Fiscal Year 1999 defense budget, Cohen urged that the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM) not become "politicized" by adding personnel to the inspection team who are not experts on weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The secretary indicated that the best solution to the current impasse with Baghdad is to keep U.N. inspectors on the ground in Iraq. However, Cohen said, if the situation should deteriorate and dictate military action, he would expect "the full support of all of the Gulf states." He also said he would expect to extend U.S. cooperation, if warranted, in response to any possible Israeli request for assistance should diplomacy fail. The United States, Cohen said, believes it already has all of the necessary authority to use military force should it be needed. Asked about the possibility of targeting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the secretary stressed that U.S. policy is to curtail Saddam's efforts to reconstitute Iraq's program of manufacturing weapons of mass destruction and not to target any individual. Asked if the United States has ruled out the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons against Iraqi weapons of mass destruction that are located well below ground level, Cohen noted only that U.S. policy has not changed since the Bush administration. At that time, the United States indicated that Iraqi chemical or biological weapon use against American or allied targets would prompt a vigorous and devastating response. Earlier, in an unusual weekend interview session with print reporters at the Pentagon February 1, Cohen sought to dampen expectations about what military options might achieve in Iraq. "We shouldn't overestimate what they can achieve," he said. "You can never have a complete elimination of weapons of mass destruction" due to the speed with which a WMD program can be reconstituted. If diplomatic avenues are exhausted and military strikes become inevitable, the secretary said, the most such a strike could reasonably accomplish would be to curtail Iraq's ability to reconstitute its WMD program and reduce Saddam Hussein's "ability to threaten his neighbors." A significant military strike would have "a very consequential impact" on Saddam Hussein's future ability to develop missiles or build up his military in a threatening way, he added. The basis of U.S. activity in the region, Cohen said, is to secure Saddam Hussein's compliance in allowing unfettered access by U.N. weapons inspectors, and not to topple Iraq's leadership. He reminded listeners that during the Gulf war, "consideration was given to not inflicting such damage" as to undermine the territorial integrity of Iraq. "That still applies," he added. Neither the United States nor its allies, Cohen stressed, want to be in the position to "devastate" Iraq. While the U.S. has the ability to inflict great damage, he said, it also has to adhere to "certain guidelines." At the same time the secretary warned that Saddam Hussein would be making "a grievous mistake" if he launched a military strike against any country in the Middle East region. Cohen also noted that the Iraqi leader should be condemned for continuing to build "palatial monuments to himself" while Iraqis are starving. He cited this as another example of Saddam Hussein's "complete lack of regard for the welfare of his people," adding that the Iraqi leader "should be held up for the contempt and condemnation that he deserves." Cohen is scheduled to travel to Germany and Russia in the coming week, although his travel plans remain flexible and may include a side trip to the Gulf to discuss U.S. military capabilities, requirements and plans. The secretary also took the opportunity to discuss the success of his recent trip to Asia. He traveled to the region in January and described his timing as "fortuitous" because it provided the chance to underline the long-term U.S. security commitment to the region and its reliability as an ally. He visited Singapore, where it was agreed that a new Singaporean naval base will be built permitting future port visits and ship repairs for U.S. naval vessels. The secretary also traveled to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Japan and South Korea. Cohen said highlights of the trip included his address at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Sciences and a visit to the Chinese air-defense command center. He also indicated that he secured a commitment from the Chinese not to send any missiles or technology to Iran that would further Iran's anti-ship cruise missile program. While on the Korean Peninsula, Cohen said he expressed the U.S. concern about South Korea's economic situation. He also sought to send a signal to North Korea that the United States is concerned about South Korea's military and economic status and is "prepared to be supportive."
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