[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 178 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2396-E2397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REGARDING MONITORING OF WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2001

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution.
  I want to be very clear: I strongly support inspection of Iraqi 
weapons facilities. This resolution, however, is not the best way to 
accomplish that goal.
  We clearly stand at a moment in history when we must reinvent our 
foreign policy to

[[Page E2397]]

meet new challenges. Renewed arms inspections of Iraq should be part of 
that new matrix, but smarter sanctions and humanitarian engagement must 
also be undertaken.
  Engagement is crucial. We should work with our allies to forge a 
policy that strengthens the cause of peace and stability in the Middle 
East.
  There are some who call for an invasion of Iraq. I am strongly 
opposed to such a step.
  Opposition to a United States assault on Iraq is found not only in 
the capitals of the Middle East but throughout much of the rest of the 
world as well.
  International leaders such as United Nations Secretary General Kofi 
Annan and former South African President Nelson Mandela have strongly 
voiced their opposition to such an attack, arguing that the only 
lasting solutions lie in collective international efforts.
  As Kofi Annan said earlier this month, ``Any attempt or any decision 
to attack Iraq today will be unwise and could lead to a major 
escalation in the region.'' President Mandela warned that bombing Iraq 
would be a disaster that would inject ``chaos into international 
affairs.''
  Therefore, I must oppose this resolution not because I oppose 
inspections but because I believe it is too inflammatory and will make 
inspections less likely, not more likely.
  This is the wrong resolution at the wrong time. At this moment we 
face a crisis in the Middle East as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 
threatens to spin out of control. That must be the epicenter of our 
concern right now. Yes, we want inspections, but this is not the best 
way to achieve them.

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