There is still no evidence that Iraq has fundamentally changed
its approach from deceit to compliance in meeting the UN Security
Council's demand that it disarm.
The Iraqi declaration represents a deliberate effort to deceive
by material omissions, and constitutes a further material breach.
Iraq states it has no weapons of mass destruction or programs
to develop them, but fails to answer numerous, outstanding questions
about its weapons of mass destruction.
It is not the inspectors' obligation to provide verifiable
evidence of disarmament. That is Iraq's responsibility.
The declaration consists largely of recycled information from
earlier declarations to the UN, contains no new information, and
provides no answers to the questions that have been raised.
This pattern is not accidental or new. Saddam Hussein's recent
statements further demonstrate his unwillingness to comply.
These are not the comments of a regime ready to seize the
opportunity to comply with its obligations and disarm peacefully.
The United States is providing as much support as possible to
the inspectors, including experts, information, analysis and
equipment.
The use of military force is America's last option. Yet if
force becomes necessary to secure our country and to keep the peace,
America will act deliberately, America will act decisively, and America
will prevail.