Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Q: What do we expect to accomplish with military force?

A: The objective of the use of force would be to deliver a substantial blow that would significantly diminish the threat from weapons of mass destruction and limit Saddam Hussein's ability to threaten his neighbors.

Q: What are we doing to get international support for an attack against Iraq?

A: The President has not yet made a decision to conduct a military strike against Iraq, and we still prefer a diplomatic solution to the present crisis. We must however, plan for the contingency that military action will be required to force Saddam to comply with the will of the international community expressed in UN Security Council resolutions.

To this end, we seek international support. Both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense have traveled extensively in recent weeks, as has Ambassador Richardson. We continue to build international support through meetings in foreign capitals, consultations at the United Nations, military-to-military talks here in Washington, D.C., and abroad, and through high-level contact between the Administration and foreign governments.

Thirty nations have now joined us in preparing for potential military action. As the President noted recently, our force posture would not be possible without the support of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the GCC states, and Turkey. We expect more countries to come abroad daily. Most are ironing out the bureaucratic wrinkles of supporting the U.S. Government.

Q: Which nations are we attempting to enlist in the coalition?

A: We are in a delicate stage of discussions with many nations. Watch this web site for an updated list of coalition partners.

Q: What type of military support are we seeking?

A: We are confident that the existing forces in the region are sufficient to carry out any of the actions now being contemplated against Iraq. Additional forces and other support from friends and allies will enhance overall capability and robustness and demonstrate international resolve against the intransigence of Saddam's regime.

U.S. military experts are now having detailed discussions with a number of countries to determine exactly what contributions are available and how they can best be integrated. Integration of additional military support must be done wisely. CENTCOM and JCS are working to balance coalition operational requirements and prospective participant offers of assistance.

Q: Where will these coalition forces be stationed?

A: We are still working out these details. Where forces will operate will be determined by the role they will play when they are integrated into the force. We are exploring areas in the Gulf region where forces could be based and support possible operations against iraq. Operational security considerations and the sensitivities of the hosting countries preclude going into more detail at this point.

Q: Is it possible to support the coalition without sending military forces to the region?