[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19423]
[From the U.S. 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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