[SOC] Great foreign support for the US

[JMcAulay]

The US does have its big supporters now and then.  The following is part of
an address given by a world leader to his national Parliament, before the
March 2003 attack on Iraq by the US and its coalition partners.  Perhaps
some of you might recognize it:

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  "The goal that we all have is to make sure that Saddam Hussein respects
the resolutions of the UN and stops the production of armaments like
biological weapons and so on that are extremely dangerous.  We have proof
that they were producing... and are still producing them, and we want to
terminate this production.  It is extremely dangerous for countries around
the world if we do not stop Saddam Hussein with this production.

  "In order to have [Saddam] change his position, we have to show with
determination that if he does not change his position, we will be there to
make sure that he stops the production of this absolutely unacceptable
armament he is building at this time.

  "Saddam Hussein signed a ceasefire agreement and now he is not complying
with it.  We therefore have the authority to proceed, under the 1991
[United Nations] resolution, which Saddam is not complying with.

  "There comes a time when we must say to Saddam Hussein, 'respect the
obligation that you took in 1991 or else.'  We are getting ready to do the
'or else.'  When the time comes, we must be ready to do that.

  "If there is one thing [we] cannot abide, that is any flaunting of the
clearly expressed wish of the United Nations Security Council.  And if
there is one question on which the Security Council has spoken out clearly,
it is the threat Saddam Hussein represents to his neighbours, and the
entire world, with his weapons of mass destruction... What conclusion does
this lead to about the humanity of a man who is again prepared to expose
his people to this risk, merely to protect the terrible activities he is
involved in to develop chemical and biological weapons?

  "Saddam's determination to develop and use weapons of mass destruction,
chemical warfare in particular, is well documented.  Anyone doubting the
serious character of the threat this man represents has only to recall how
he turned these weapons against his own people.  Equally well documented
are his ongoing efforts to block the work of UNSCOM, the United Nations
Special
Commission created to ensure compliance with Security Council Resolution 687.

  "Saddam's lies and deceit and especially his obstructions prevent the
special commission from verifying whether Iraq has indeed destroyed all its
weapons of mass destruction.

  "For... years he has lied, resisted and tried to hide the truth.  He has
had every opportunity to comply with international agreements and his
obligations, but nothing has succeeded in getting him to comply
voluntarily... This deadly game of hide-and-seek has gone on long enough.

  "That is why, if it comes to that, we believe a military strike against
Iraq would be justified to secure compliance with Security Council
resolution 687 and all other Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq.

  "We believe that [we] cannot stand on the sidelines in such a moment.
Our allies, led by the United States, have asked that we support such a
mission.  They have asked for military support, not for combat troops.
However, it would mean [our] presence in the action... It would mean our
armed forces would support, in a material way, the actions of this
multilateral initiative.  It would mean that when and if every other means
fails and action is taken to enforce the will of the Security Council, [we]
will be counted.  Not on the sidelines, not in isolation.  This is the
decision we must make.  I believe the choice is clear.  I believe it is a
choice dictated by the responsibilities of international citizenship, by
the demands of international security and by an understanding of the
history of the world in this century."

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Please note especially the statement, "We therefore have the authority to
proceed, under the 1991 [United Nations] resolution, which Saddam is not
complying with."

These were Premier Jean Chretien's remarks to the Canadian House of Commons
on Feb. 9, 1998, during a debate on whether Canada would support a
then-proposed attack.  That attack did not take place, but President
Clinton ordered four nights of bombing of Iraq in December of that year.
Incidentally, you may also recall that this happened shortly before the US
House of Representatives was to consider Clinton's impeachment. 

After the December strikes, Chretien said:  "Saddam Hussein asked for it."

My, how times change.

73
John WA6QPL  SOC 263