[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 155 (Saturday, December 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES 
   CURRENTLY CARRYING OUT MISSIONS IN AND AROUND PERSIAN GULF REGION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 17, 1998

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply saddened by the events of 
this week, and my heart goes out to the men and women in uniform and 
their families who are involved in Operation Desert Fox. We want them 
to know that America is firmly behind them as they face their most 
difficult challenges.
  To bomb another country is no an easy decision for a president. 
However, I am convinced that President Clinton had no choice but to 
respond to Saddam Hussein's repeated violations of negotiated 
agreements by launching the strike.
  The United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) is responsible 
for monitoring Iraqi weapons programs and dismantling weapons of mass 
destruction. The United Nations and the United States have repeatedly 
demanded that Iraq cooperate with UNSCOM and fully comply with all 
applicable UN Security Council resolutions. Yet, Saddam Hussein has 
repeatedly defied the United Nations and refused to keep his promises. 
He has attempted to restrict UNSCOM's activities and interfere with the 
efforts of UN weapons inspectors.
  This conflict is not with the Iraqi people. It is with Saddam 
Hussein--a dictator who has repeatedly threatened his neighbors, defied 
world public opinion, oppressed his own people, violated their basic 
human rights and used weapons of mass destruction against innocent 
civilians. I sympathize with the suffering of the Iraqi people and I am 
hopeful that this military action will be completed with minimal loss 
of life.
  No matter what difference we may have domestically regarding the 
President, this is clearly not a time for partisan politics and 
divisive language. We must stand united behind our troops and assure 
them that the American people are with them in this tragic time of 
crisis. I am hopeful that this mission may be completed quickly and 
without the loss of American lives and that our fighting men and women 
may be able to return home to their families in time for the holidays.

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