[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ALLOTTING SUFFICIENT TIME FOR UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS FOR A 
  THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF 
                 IRAQ WITH U.N. RESOLUTION 1441 (2002)

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
Resolution that mirrors the sentiments expressed by the Honorable 
Senator Byrd, and key members of the United Nations Security Counsel.
  The United Nations weapons inspectors must be given more time to 
continue their work in Iraq.
  Further, if the weapons inspectors are able to present evidence that 
the Government of Iraq has revived its nuclear weapons program, and is 
in material breach of U.N. Security Counsel Resolution 1441, we must 
seek another Security Counsel Resolution authorizing the use of force 
against the Government of Iraq.
  Although progress is slow in Iraq, it is progress. I believe that 
with continued pressure from international emissaries, Saddam Hussein 
will soon have no choice but to relinquish power voluntarily. We must 
continue to work together to exhaust peaceful and diplomatic means for 
disarming Saddam Hussein, because we have little to gain and much to 
lose in a unilateral preemptive strike against Iraq.
  First and foremost, the men and women of our Armed Forces are already 
fully engaged in a war on terrorism. This must remain our highest 
priority.
  Second, it stands to reason that the more aggressive and belligerent 
our posture as a nation becomes, the more we invite another terrorist 
attack. Make no mistake, passing a bill to create a Department of 
Homeland Security did little to make our homeland more secure, and we 
are woefully unprepared for another terrorist attack on our soil.
  Third, even though the administration has tried to play down the 
looming crisis in North Korea, last week, the top military commander in 
the Pacific requested an additional 2,000 more troops to join the 
37,000 already in South Korea.
  And fourth, when I rose to speak against the Iraq Resolution five 
months ago, I voiced concerns that the Administration did not have any 
post-invasion plans in place yet. There is no doubt in my mind that the 
United States, alone, or as part of a coalition, can prosecute a war to 
a successful conclusion, but the question is--and then what? We still 
haven't been provided with any estimates on how long our troops would 
be engaged in peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations in the 
Middle East, or what the estimated costs will be for humanitarian 
assistance and reconstruction.
  On January 24th, I joined 129 Members of the House in signing a 
letter to the President urging him to make every attempt to achieve 
Iraq's disarmament through diplomatic means and with the full support 
of our allies. Toady, I urge your support in sending the same message 
to the President with this Resolution.

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