The Iraqi regime's violations of Security Council resolutions
are evident, and they continue. The regime has never accounted for a
vast arsenal of deadly biological and chemical weapons, and is pursuing
an elaborate campaign to conceal its weapons materials, and to hide or
intimidate key experts and scientists.
Saddam Hussein was given a final chance; he is throwing that
chance away. The Security Council must show whether its words have any
meaning. Having made its demands, the Security Council must face up to
the challenges before it. Its responsibilities did not end with
passage of Resolution 1441, but only began.
On September 11, 2001, America saw what terrorists could do by
turning four airplanes into weapons. We will not wait to see what
terrorists or terrorist states could do with chemical, biological, or
nuclear weapons.
The people of Iraq are not our enemies. The true enemy of the
Iraqi people is Saddam Hussein, and they have suffered long enough
under this tyrant. And the Iraqi people can be certain the United
States is committed to helping them build a better future. If conflict
occurs, America will bring Iraq food, medicine, supplies and, most
importantly, freedom.
We seek an Iraq that is democratic, unified, multi-ethnic,
which has no weapons of mass destruction, no links to terrorists, and
is at peace with its neighbors.
If we must take military action, we will demonstrate that we
want to liberate, not occupy Iraq or control its economic resources,
and would safeguard the territorial unity of Iraq.
Iraq's oil belongs to all of the Iraqi people and any action
taken in this area is solely for their benefit. We will work to
protect and preserve Iraq's oil sector, and will support Iraqi efforts
to restore production if it is cut off.
We would begin the process of economic and political
reconstruction, helping to put Iraq on the path to prosperity and
freedom, and would stay as long as is necessary to do this, not one day
more.
In a military conflict, an immediate objective will be
humanitarian assistance to civilians. Food, medicine, water and fuel
will be restored. People who have fled their home in fear will be
cared for.