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Released: Feb. 8, 1999

Albright outlines new Iraq policy

By Tech. Sgt. Michael Farris
363rd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (ACCNS) - During a quick stop at Prince Sultan Air Base Jan. 28, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright assured troops here that the United States is serious about ending Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq.

In a departure from the years-long policy of Iraqi containment, Albright described a new policy as "containment-plus," the plus being regime change.

"We are actively working toward the day when Iraq has a government that no longer oppresses its people, and that lives up to its international obligations," she said. "I think the Iraqi people deserve better leadership. Our fight is not with the Iraqi people. They have suffered under Saddam and there ought to be the ability for them to sell oil for food and medicine."

Albright also recognized the important role Operation Southern Watch plays in the overall scheme.

"Your presence here is very important to protect national interests and is dictated by the fact that we have to contain Saddam Hussein," she said. "We have been successful in discovering and destroying large amounts of weapons and in pursuing the policy of disarming Saddam."

Desert Fox was a useful mission, but according to the secretary, we were not able to get everything.

"With your help, we will continue to enforce the no-fly zone and leave no doubt that we will respond to any provocation."

While our military chains of command travel up through the Pentagon, Albright narrowed the divide between the defense and state departments.

"As I do my job of representing the United States diplomatically, I spend a great deal of time with our military leaders," she said. "Secretary (William) Cohen, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman (Gen.) Hugh Shelton and I coordinate our activities very closely. I want to assure you that your faces are behind every decision we make. One reason I visit troops wherever I can is to make eye contact with you. I never forget that what I do is reflected in your faces."

America has an obligation to see that when troops are sent abroad they have world class support, equipment and training to stay safe and get the job done, Albright said. But she cautioned that we also need to be careful to use the world's most respected military force only when the stakes matter and the mission is clear.