[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 131 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IRAQ
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, this morning I will make a few comments
with regard to the issue that is generally before us and before the
country, and that is, of course, where we go with regard to Iraq and
Saddam Hussein.
The President did a great job last night. He made very appropriate
comments at a very appropriate time. He has discussed in detail the
threats we see in Iraq, the threats we see in terrorism, and he has
talked about his solution.
There have been questions raised, and properly so, and the President
last evening sought to answer those questions, as indeed I think he
should.
Why do we need to contain this dictator? I think surely most people
understand that. Why do we need to do it now? I suppose that may be one
of the most difficult questions for some. Why are we waiting to have
allies in the U.N.? Certainly most agree that is something we want. The
President covered that very thoroughly, and indicated that is his goal.
Our loss of 3,000 innocent Americans on September 11 makes us aware
of why we need to make some changes; that activity in the world has
changed. A number of years ago the threats were of landing on barges,
flying huge formations of airplanes, with divisions of armed men and
women. Now it is not entirely safe, as we found out September 11. We
suffer huge damages from one incident. That is difficult to control.
Clearly we have a problem.
We must complete our discussion, move forward and make decisions. It
is an issue important to everyone, as a Nation, and important to the
world. We will be voting on a resolution soon. I suppose there will be
amendments to the resolution. The House may or may not come up with the
same resolution. Nevertheless, that is the role of the Senate. I hope
we deal with it as quickly as we can.
It grants the authority of the President to do what he feels has to
be done to deal with this issue. Today we understand the clear and
present threat of terrorism being different than in the past. September
11 changed that. We see evidence of these threats around the world.
Our personal safety has changed, as well as our national security. We
recognize that. I understand there is reason to debate this issue.
People have different views. We need to discuss the commitment of the
military in this world. The question of acting unilaterally is a
difficult question. That is one alternative.
We need to offer leadership in the world to reduce the risk that
exists. The administration has done an excellent job of getting the
support of our allies. Not all have signed up. Not all have stood up
and raised their hands. Many support what we do now, as in Afghanistan.
Obviously, people have different views. Some are politicized. Some
are different, legitimate views. We have to identify what our role
should be as a leader in the world. More importantly, we need to
protect this country's freedom and protect the freedom of all citizens.
In England, Prime Minister Blair has stepped up. I am sure others
will, as well. We need to continue to discuss it. Much of the
discussion has already taken place and the decision is ready to be
made. Is this a sufficient threat to cause us to commit ourselves? I
think so. Should we work through the U.N. with our allies? Of course.
That is what the President suggested last night. I heard a fellow
Senator this morning saying we should not do anything until the U.N.
authorizes it. I hope the U.N. does, and I hope the U.N. is there. They
should be. On the other hand, I don't think we ought to be controlled
by the U.N. If we find this has to be something we do, we must go
ahead.
Our role is to disarm Saddam. Inspectors are an excellent way to do
that. But we have to review policy to see they are unrestricted.
However, getting inspectors in is not the goal. Disarmament is the
goal. Inspectors may be a way to do that. We hope they are. There will
be movement in the U.N. The President's talk last night will do a great
deal to assist in that regard.
The resolution before the Senate provides for the
necessary authority. It pertains to support of diplomatic efforts of
the President to strictly enforce the United Nations Security Council
resolutions that have been in place for 10 years. That is all we are
asking.
We support, in this resolution, action by the Security Council to
ensure Iraq abandons its strategy for delay and invasion. The
authorization is included. The President is authorized to use the Armed
Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and
appropriate in order to defend the national security of the United
States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, and, number 2,
enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions
regarding Iraq. The President makes those determinations and reports to
the Congress. He makes available to the Speaker of the House and the
President pro tempore his determination that, number one, reliance by
the United States on further diplomatic or peaceful means alone either
will not adequately protect the national security or will not likely
lead to the enforcement of those Security Council resolutions. It makes
that determination, and, number 2, determines that acting pursuant to
this resolution is consistent with the United States and other
countries continuing to take necessary actions against international
terrorists, terrorist organizations, including the nations,
organizations, and persons planning and authorized to commit or aiding
terrorists in the attacks that occurred on September 11.
It is pretty clear what needs to be done. It is appropriate to
discuss this. We have discussed it sufficiently. I hope in the next day
or two we can complete action. We need a little less talk and more
action. The time has come to do that. It is our challenge. It is our
responsibility. I hope we can do it in the next several days.
I yield the floor.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New Mexico.
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