Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3-18-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / WAR (L-O)

NUMBER=2-300940

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: A key U-S lawmaker is denouncing President Bush's decision to lead a war to disarm Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: The oldest and longest-serving member of Congress says the image of America has changed, from one of strong benevolent peacekeeper to a nation whose word is disputed and whose intentions are questioned.

Senator Robert Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat, criticized President Bush's decision to end diplomacy and pursue military action to resolve the standoff over Iraq's weapons of mass destruction:

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Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of the international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

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The 85-year-old Senator Byrd, first elected to the Senate in 1958 after serving six years in the House, has been a vocal opponent of war against Iraq.

Mr. Byrd questioned the Bush administration's linkage of Saddam Hussein to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

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Villain he is. But he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war.

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Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, took issue with Mr. Byrd's comments.

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When the people of Iraq are liberated, we will again have written another chapter in the glorious history of the United States of America that we will fight for the freedom of other citizens of the world.

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Mr. McCain and Mr. Byrd made their comments on the Senate floor during a break in debate over the federal budget. (Signed)

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