WASHINGTON (CNN) -- From the Oval Office, the President told the nation Wednesday evening why he ordered new military strikes against Iraq.
The president said Iraq's refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors presented a threat to the entire world.
"Saddam (Hussein) must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons," the president said.
Operation Desert Fox, a strong, sustained series of attacks, will be carried out over several days by U.S. and British forces, the president said.
"Earlier today I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces," the president said.
"Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors," said the president.
The president also stated that, while other countries also had weapons of mass destruction, Hussein is in a different category because he has used such weapons against his own people and against his neighbors.
'Without delay, diplomacy or warning'
The Iraqi leader was given a final warning six weeks ago, the president said, when Baghdad promised to cooperate with U.N. inspectors at the last minute just as U.S. warplanes were headed its way.
"Along with Prime Minister (Tony) Blair of Great Britain, I made it equally clear that if Saddam failed to cooperate fully we would be prepared to act without delay, diplomacy or warning," the president said.
The president said the report handed in Tuesday by Richard Butler, head of the United Nations Special Commission in charge of finding and destroying Iraqi weapons, was stark and sobering.
Iraq failed to cooperate with the inspectors and placed new restrictions on them, the President said. He said Iraqi officials also destroyed records and moved everything, even the furniture, out of suspected sites before inspectors were allowed in.
"Instead of inspectors disarming Saddam, Saddam has disarmed the inspectors," the president said.
"In halting our airstrikes in November, I gave Saddam a chance -- not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the president explained.
Strikes necessary to stunt weapons programs
The president said he made the decision to strike Wednesday with the unanimous agreement of his security advisors.
Timing was important, said the president, because without a strong inspection system in place, Iraq could rebuild its chemical, biological and nuclear programs in a matter of months, not years.
"If Saddam can cripple the weapons inspections system and get away with it, he would conclude the international community, led by the United States, has simply lost its will," said the president. "He would surmise that he has free rein to rebuild his arsenal of destruction."
The president also called Hussein a threat to his people and to the security of the world.
Wisdom is not a word that jumps to mind when I think of Bush.
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I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am very jealous for the rights and liberties of my country; the least encroachment on those invaluable privileges makes my blood boil. Benjamin Franklin
Why don't we just elect McCain already? He's the only politician of prominence who works both sides of the floor, votes his conscience, hates politics as much as we do, and isn't afraid to tell people to go fuck themselves. THAT's what we need.
I knew something was up when I read the article. No date, no time, no link to the original? hmmmm.
I even searched for it looking at other web sources and nothing current popped up.
Tricky tricky tricky tricky Gard.
"In halting our airstrikes in November, I gave Saddam a chance -- not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the president explained.
So how's the US credibility now? Different leader, more bogus bullshit.
Why don't we just elect McCain already? He's the only politician of prominence who works both sides of the floor, votes his conscience, hates politics as much as we do, and isn't afraid to tell people to go fuck themselves. THAT's what we need.
I would vote for McCain. I tried to subvert you long ago by mentioning the only reason he is not our pres. is because Bush had Karl Rove smear his good name with lies...but you weren't listening and if my snatch couldn't pursuade you over to the dark liberal political side...my good mind needn't waste the time. :P
Why don't we just elect McCain already? He's the only politician of prominence who works both sides of the floor, votes his conscience, hates politics as much as we do, and isn't afraid to tell people to go fuck themselves. THAT's what we need.
LOL, maybe people are afraid he'll blow up another carrier! I know, it was an accident, had a good friend on board when that happened, and made friends with another who lost a leg in that incident!
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Now: '07 G35 S/Black Obsidian/Graphite/Premium/Nav/XM/OEM Spoiler/3M Scotchgard Paint Protection/Tint My '07 Sport
Why don't we just elect McCain already? He's the only politician of prominence who works both sides of the floor, votes his conscience, hates politics as much as we do, and isn't afraid to tell people to go fuck themselves. THAT's what we need.
LOL, maybe people are afraid he'll blow up another carrier! I know, it was an accident, had a good friend on board when that happened, and made friends with another who lost a leg in that incident!
He was in the skyhawk that got hit so hard to blame him though you were around and serving back then and all I have are the history books on that generation. :P
Why don't we just elect McCain already? He's the only politician of prominence who works both sides of the floor, votes his conscience, hates politics as much as we do, and isn't afraid to tell people to go fuck themselves. THAT's what we need.
LOL, maybe people are afraid he'll blow up another carrier! I know, it was an accident, had a good friend on board when that happened, and made friends with another who lost a leg in that incident!
He was in the skyhawk that got hit so hard to blame him though you were around and serving back then and all I have are the history books on that generation. :P
I really just heard stories from the guys I knew who where on board, one was my best friend back in those days, I know something hit his plane, I was just being a bit of a smart ass here. What me? :P I can just see his opponents bringing it up, geez!
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Now: '07 G35 S/Black Obsidian/Graphite/Premium/Nav/XM/OEM Spoiler/3M Scotchgard Paint Protection/Tint My '07 Sport
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