10 February 1998
TRANSCRIPT: SECDEFENSE COHEN'S REMARKS ON IRAQ EN ROUTE UAE
(US will have necessary support to carry out plans) (1400) Oman en route United Arab Emirates -- "I believe we will have all the support that is necessary to carry out whatever plans that will need to be carried out," if Saddam Hussein refuses a diplomatic solution, Secretary of Defense William Cohen said February 10 en route United Arab Emirates. Cohen said all of the leaders he has met with "see Saddam Hussein as a threat. They all recognize from his past behavior that he has no respect for human life, that he has low respect for the security and well being of his people and they fully appreciate that." "Obviously they are hopeful that a military solution is not necessary; but they are a supporter of the United States' actions to enforce the resolutions if necessary," he stated. Asked if the support pledged by Canada and Australia is "a real coalition or ... symbolic," the Secretary responded, "This is a real coalition; these are countries who are pledging their assistance, both moral support and material support; and we are very happy to receive it." Cohen also said that while the Saudis hope that there will be a peaceful resolution, they have clearly stated that "if Saddam Hussein is unwilling to have a diplomatic solution, then he will bear the full responsibility for all of the consequences and they pledge to continue the traditional relationship that we have. Cohen assured his questioners that the U.S. prefers to have a diplomatic resolution, "but we are preparing, obviously, for the option if that diplomacy fails." Following is the transcript of Secretary Cohen's remarks: (Begin transcript) Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen En route to UAE February 10, 1998 COHEN: We had an opportunity to meet with His Royal Majesty, Sultan Qaboos; he is recognized as one of the true visionary leaders of the Arab world. We met out in the desert for about an hour; we had occasion to review the position of the United States, and that of Great Britain and other countries who are joining in the effort to hopefully persuade Saddam Hussein that he needs to comply with the UN Security resolutions. We received again strong support from His Royal Majesty to carry out whatever mission is necessary; again, with the hope that military action will not be required. But we had an opportunity to discuss what was taking place in the world. He is very well traveled, he is very well informed, one of the true intellectual leaders in the Arab world, and someone that we have a high degree of admiration for. So that essentially was the purpose of our meeting. Senator Levin and Senator Warner were with me, and for them, I believe it was the first opportunity they had to meet him and regretfully we had to break away after an hour, but it was a discussion that could have gone on for many hours. Q: Secretary Cohen, both Australia and Canada have pledged some military support. I think it's non-combat support, but could you characterize what kind of military support you're getting, and whether it's more than just symbolic? A: Well, I have to review exactly what each country is going to be pledging. We have expect to have other countries as well as the days unfold to pledge their support; some of it in the form of equipment, others perhaps with other types of logistical support. We'll have to weigh it in terms of how we integrate it into the operation; that's something that General Zinni will be very concerned about. He welcomes any additional support we can have, but obviously we have to make sure that it's fully integrated into the plan itself, and that's something we will weigh on a case by case basis, but we welcome what the Australians have said and pledged, and what the Canadians as well. Q: Is this a real coalition, or is it symbolical? A: This is a real coalition; these are countries who are pledging their assistance, both moral support and material support; and we are very happy to receive it. Q: Has the situation changed diplomatically since your last talk? A: I have not heard of any diplomatic progress that has been made; it's possible, but I have not been informed of it at this time; we will continue to follow it as I complete my rounds. But I would expect that it will probably change from day to day so we'll just have to follow it. I have not heard of any change since we last talked. Q: Do these leaders you're meeting with understand the severity of the situation and the fact that, as you've said yourself, time is running out? A: I think all of the leaders see Saddam Hussein as a threat. They all recognize from his past behavior that he has no respect for human life, that he has low respect for the security and well being of his people and they fully appreciate that. Obviously they are hopeful that a military solution is not necessary; but they are a supporter of the United States' actions to enforce the resolutions if necessary. Q: While they support the United States' actions, are they prepared to support a military strike? A: The answer to that is yes. Q: What kind of support are you seeking from both Oman and the UAE today? A: Well, we're seeking their continued support, which has been very significant as far as the prepositioning of equipment, overflight, we have some C-130s, we'll have some additional tanker aircraft, and so these are the types of support activities that will be required. Q: Do you expect to have to use some of the PREPO equipment? A: Well, it's there, that's up to General Zinni in terms of the use of it, but it's important that that prepositioned equipment be there, and we are very grateful for the support Oman has given us historically, and there was an unqualified pledge that that relationship continue, and so it was a very gratifying meeting. I think that Senator Warner and Senator Levin were very impressed and very gratified with the meeting itself. Q: What's the latest on the Fort Hood troops? A: I can't tell you on the Fort Hood troops. Q: You haven't signed the orders, move orders? A: Not at this time; General Zinni has not made a formal request yet; it was part of an original concept that is now being reviewed in terms of the Pentagon. But I expect to provide General Zinni with whatever he believes he needs to have, and so as it works its way up through the process, we'll look forward to it. Q: Is there any question about whether you can fly support flights out of Saudi Arabia? Or is there any question about over flight of Saudi Arabia in the event of offensive action? A: As I indicated with the joint statement that was released, the Saudis hope, along with the United States, that there will be a peaceful resolution. It's very clear from that statement that what the Saudi government has said, is that if Saddam Hussein is unwilling to have a diplomatic solution, then he will bear the full responsibility for all of the consequences, and they pledge to continue the traditional relationship that we have. I believe we will have all the support that is necessary to carry out whatever plans that will need to be carried out. Q: There's a certain amount of war fever that seems to have seized a lot of people back in the States what do you say about that? A: I think we have to be very prudent as we proceed on this path, and we're trying to proceed with a diplomatic solution. We're not, as someone said, "beating the tom-toms" in the White House or in the Pentagon. We far prefer to have a diplomatic resolution, but we are preparing, obviously, for the option if that diplomacy fails. There is no war fever that has gripped the Pentagon or any of us. We're proceeding, President Clinton is measuring this in a very careful, calibrated fashion as the American people would expect. Thank you. (For more information on the Iraq crisis, contact our Iraq website at: http://www.usia.gov/regional/nea/gulfsec/iraqpage.htm) (End transcript)
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