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Global Message, March 5, 2003

If Saddam Hussein were serious about complying with the latest UN resolution, in the 15 weeks since 1441 passed on November 8th Iraq would have:

Submitted a full, accurate, and complete declaration, and destroyed all prohibited materials;

Accounted for all unaccounted-for weapons;

Turned over and destroyed the mobile bio-weapons labs, all illegal missiles, missile parts, testing equipment, and unmanned aerial vehicles with ranges greater than 150 km;

Encouraged scientists to be interviewed without minders, inside or outside of Iraq;

Allowed unimpeded aerial reconnaissance; and

Turned over all documents requested by inspectors.

Nothing less that full and immediate disarmament is required of the regime by UNSCR 1441. Yet Saddam continues to resist full and immediate cooperation - even with respect to the missiles.

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The missiles are just the tip of the iceberg of Iraq's illegal arsenal. Iraq has not accounted for:

Raw materials sufficient to produce:

26,000 liters of anthrax
38,000 liters of botulinum toxin; and
5500 liters of aflatoxin, a carcinogen.

1.5 tons of VX, a powerful nerve agent.

Nearly 30,000 empty munitions that could be filled with chemical agents.

550 artillery shells filled with mustard agent;

It is not surprising that Saddam Hussein is willing to sacrifice a few illegal weapons to save many other illegal weapons.Saddam Hussein has a long history of complying with inspectors on small, technical issues, only to continue to cheat inspectors on a large scale. His tactical concessions are designed to buy time, ease the pressure on his regime, split the international community, and erode its resolve.

The danger posed by Saddam Hussein and his weapons cannot be ignored or wished away. We hope the Iraqi regime will meet the demands of the UN and disarm, fully and peacefully. If it does not, we are prepared to disarm Iraq by force.