Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/18/2003

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-10929

TITLE=EDITORIAL: CHENEY ON IRAQ

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Iraq has become the central front in the war on terror, said U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney:

(ACT1 :17 - DALET: POLICY/ACTUALITIES) "It was crucial that we enforced the U-N Security Council resolutions. Now having liberated that country, it is crucial that we keep our word to the Iraqi people, helping them to build a secure country and a democratic government. And we will do so." (END ACT)

The rebuilding of a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq is part of a vital mission that the U.S. and its allies accepted after September 11th, 2001.

Today, the danger is clear. In response, the U.S. and its allies are going after terrorists wherever they plot and plan, dismantling the financial networks that support them, and working with intelligence services from around the globe.

In Iraq, the U.S. and its allies took another necessary step in the war on terrorism. As Vice President Cheney said, the U.S. "could not accept the grave danger of Saddam Hussein and his terrorist allies turning weapons of mass destruction against us or our friends and allies." The interim report of the Iraq Survey Group found "dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations during inspections that began in late 2002."

The liberation of Iraq has made the world more secure. At the same time, it has brought freedom to the Iraqi people, said Mr. Cheney:

(ACT2 :20 - DALET: POLICY/ACTUALITIES) "The torture chambers are empty, the prisons for children are closed, the murderers of innocents have been exposed, and their mass graves have been uncovered. The regime is gone, never to return. And despite difficulties we knew would occur, the Iraqi people prefer liberty and hope to tyranny and fear." (END ACT)

The U.S. and its allies are working with the Iraqi people to build a secure and democratic Iraq that will also be an example for others in the Middle East.

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-voanews-dot-com-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.