Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/18/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS/IRAQ (L)

NUMBER=2-294207

BYLINE=DAN ROBINSON

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the United States and the world cannot afford to allow the threat posed by Iraq's weapons efforts to continue. V-O-A's Dan Robinson reports, Mr. Rumsfeld testified before Congress as lawmakers consider wording of a resolution of support for possible military action:

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld appeared before the House Armed Services Committee amid continuing congressional concern about military action. But during a time of growing support for the goal of completely disarming Iraq.

Saying the terrorist attacks on September 11th 2001 require a whole new way of thinking about potential threats to U-S security, Mr. Rumsfeld said there is no alternative to Iraq's disarmament:

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

No terrorist state poses a greater or more immediate threat to the security of our people and the stability of the world than the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld says the risks of not acting against Iraq, given Baghdad's record over the years, are too great:

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

The question facing us is this what is the responsible course of action for our country? Do we believe it is our responsibility to wait for a weapon of mass destruction, nine-eleven (September 11th) or is the responsibility of free people to do something to take steps to deal with such a threat before such an attack occurs?

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld says Congress should show it stands behind President Bush by voting on a resolution - before the United Nations Security Council considers its own resolution dealing with Iraq.

After another meeting with President Bush, congressional Democrat and Republican leaders said a vote is likely well before lawmakers leave to prepare for elections.

But many are still uncomfortable with pressure for an early vote, before President Bush makes a final decision on military action, as in this exchange between Arkansas Democrat Vic Snyder and Secretary Rumsfeld:

/// SNYDER-RUMSFELD ACT ///

(SNYDER): Help me understand why it is necessary to have the Congress pass a resolution when the commander-in-chief has not yet made that decision, knowing that we could come back even after adjournment, if the commander-in-chief says come back, we will come back.

(RUMSFELD): The President has said time is not on our side. He has said the one option we do not have is to do nothing. He has been very clear.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Rumsfeld's testimony was interrupted briefly by two demonstrators:

/// DEMONSTRATORS ACT ///

Inspections, not war. Inspections, not war!

/// END ACT ///

The protesters were escorted out of the hearing room, with Secretary Rumsfeld noting afterward that such a demonstration could never have taken place in Iraq. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAR/RAE