06 February 2003
U.S. Lawmakers Call for Iraq's Immediate Compliance with U.N. Resolutions
(Some urge second U.N. resolution setting deadline for use of force) (960) By Anthony Kujawa Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- U.S. lawmakers urged the United Nations Security Council to examine the evidence and to act after Secretary of State Colin Powell's February 5 presentation at the U.N. documented Iraq's links to terrorism and provided evidence of non-compliance with U.N. disarmament demands. Some called for a second U.N resolution authorizing use of force against Saddam Hussein. Others expressed caution about a potential war and urged the Bush administration to inform the U.S. public about the human costs and potential long-term commitments that might be required, if the United States chose to engage Iraq militarily. Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations Henry J. Hyde of Illinois said Powell made compelling arguments to the Security Council "that should persuade anyone capable of being persuaded that Saddam [Hussein] continues to develop weapons of mass destruction." "History has taught us that we cannot permit a murderous tyrant like Saddam Hussein to tear up his agreements and to freely arm himself with a destructive capacity for use against the United States and the international community," he said. Chairman Hyde said Saddam Hussein has ignored "repeated warnings" from the international community that he must disarm or face war. "We must now demonstrate to those who would harm us that our warnings are not empty words and that we will act decisively to defend ourselves," he said. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California issued a statement saying that the case for disarming Iraq is strong, but that war is not the only way to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. "Before going to war, we must exhaust all alternatives, such as the continuation of inspections, diplomacy and the leverage provided by the threat of military action," she said. Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee applauded Secretary Powell's presentation at the U.N., challenging the Security Council to hold Iraq accountable for its "defiant breach of [U.N.] Resolution 1441" and failure to comply with other U.N. resolutions. Commenting on Powell's address, Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Chuck Hagel, Republican of Nebraska, said that by working through the U.N. "the U.S. is following a wise, steady and patient course of leadership as we enhance our position with our allies and with world opinion." "Let us not forget, in 1991 it was the force of a united U.N. and American leadership that led to the successful effort against Saddam Hussein," said Hagel. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas, also a member of the Foreign Relations Committee said, "no one here wants war. But it is clear from Powell's presentation today that Saddam is not disarming, is not cooperating with inspectors and remains a danger to the world community." The highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, said at a press conference that the Secretary Powell has "made a powerful and irrefutable case" against Iraq. Senator Biden urged the Security Council to live up to its responsibilities, enforce its resolutions and provide a "united front to force Saddam to back down and avoid war." "The choice of war is Saddam's. The choice for the security council is between relevance and irrelevance," he said. "Only when Saddam realizes there is a strong international consensus will he stop trying to drive a wedge between the U.S. and our allies. That consensus is our best, and probably last, chance to concentrate his mind about his choice of war or peace," added Biden. He urged the Bush administration to work with the Security Council to pass a second resolution setting a deadline and authorizing force if necessary to disarm Iraq. However, Biden, also called for President Bush to be "straightforward" with the American people about the commitment that might be asked of them in a potential war with Iraq, saying that a foreign policy can not be sustained without the informed consent of the American people. If war is necessary, Biden advised the President to "explain to the public that we are about to embark on a costly and complicated effort that may require American forces to stay in Iraq for several years." "I don't think many Americans understand the scope and magnitude of what the U.S. will be obligated to do for many years to come," he said, arguing that a war to disarm Iraq could be very different than the 1991 Persian Gulf War. "Johnny will not come marching home," said Biden, warning that the United States would need to make a long-term commitment to nation building after regime change in Iraq. In another news conference, Senator Edward Kennedy, Democrat from Massachusetts, said that although Secretary Powell made a strong case to the Security Council that Saddam Hussein is a "dangerous person" and that Iraq is a "dangerous country" he did not say "anything that we didn't already know." "We have to understand the question isn't disarming Saddam Hussein, it's how to be able to do it; what is the best way to be able to do it? Where does the commitment of American troops come in? What's going to happen to the American troops? And all the other questions which still have not been answered by the administration," added Kennedy. Sharing concerns similar to those of Senator Biden, Kennedy said that prior to any engagement of U.S. troops in Iraq President Bush should, "come to the American people and explain what the entrance strategy is into Iraq and the exit strategy." (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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