REPORT ON SECOND NIGHT OF OPERATION 'DESERT FOX'
TRANSCRIPT OF PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, MR GEORGE ROBERTSON, AND THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, GENERAL SIR CHARLES GUTHRIE, LONDON, FRIDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1998MR ROBERTSON:
British forces flew their first operational missions against Iraqi targets last night during the second night of operation 'Desert Fox'. We made it clear from the outset that our forces would play a full part alongside the United States and they made a significant contribution to last night's efforts. In a series of raids, our Tornadoes have been involved in bombing a number of Iraqi targets linked to Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programmes or his other military capabilities. The attacks contributed to our aim of degrading Saddam's ability to build or use chemical and biological weapons and to diminish the military threat that he poses to his neighbours. Twelve of our aircraft flew in three waves of attack and I am delighted that all of them returned safely and I want here to pay a tribute to the air and ground crews at Ali al-Salem for their courage and their skill and also to send a message to their families in various parts of the United Kingdom because we are thinking very much of them as well.We have yet to complete our full battle-damage assessments but initial indications are that the raids by the Tornadoes have gone well. As a result of this precision bombing, we have inflicted damage on military air defence sites, on Saddam's command-and-control networks and on the infrastructure of the Republican Guard but let me here make a very clear point: Saddam's ability to make and to use chemical and nerve weapons is being reduced every day with every raid on his military structures. I should say, however, that most of the Coalition targets have been outside of Baghdad and while I understand the difficulties and the problems that are being faced by Western TV crews operating in difficult and restricted circumstances in Baghdad today, ask yourself why it is for instance that Saddam does not take journalists to Talu (phon) airfield south-east of Baghdad where last night British Tornadoes attacked a hangar where Saddam is developing remotely-piloted aircraft with the capability to deliver chemical and biological weapons against his neighbours.
We regret, of course, that it has been necessary to use force against Iraq but there is simply no other option to get him disarmed. As last night's debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords have shown, the action against Saddam enjoys the overwhelming support of the British Parliament and that was made very clear to me in yesterday's debate in the House and the discussions I have had with people across the political spectrum. We have to take action against Saddam now before he is in a position to hold the world to ransom with his weapons of terror.
As well as NATO defence ministers that I met earlier on this week, an increasing number of supporters have come forward right across the world. Since the campaign started, support has come from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Brazil, Portugal and the three new applicant members to NATO, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary and in the Security Council yesterday there was a unanimous view by all the countries there of condemnation of Iraq for their failure to co-operate with the weapons inspectors.
There is so much more to do before we can be satisfied that Saddam Hussein's capability to develop weapons of mass destruction or to threaten his neighbours has been damaged to the extent that is necessary and we will carry on with our military action along with the United States until we are satisfied that Saddam's military machine has been sufficiently damaged but it would be foolish to assume that our commitment to ensuring his compliance with his international obligations will end with the current military action. We have a very clear, long-term strategy after this military operation has ended and we are not going to go away.
First of all, Saddam Hussein's obligation to disarm will remain and he will eventually have to comply fully with the resolutions agreed at the end of the Gulf War. Secondly, as a result of this military action, his capability to build and use weapons of mass destruction and therefore his ability to threaten his neighbours will be severely damaged and diminished. Thirdly, the sanctions regime will remain in place and enforcement will be tightened and fourthly, until Saddam Hussein complies fully with the UN Security Council resolutions we will not withdraw the threat of further military action without warning. If he tries once again to develop a capability for weapons of mass destruction or to threaten his neighbours in the Gulf and in the Middle East then he will have to face the consequences. We are not ready to go away.
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
