[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7488-7489]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               THE WAR IN IRAQ AND SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, on March 20, President Bush ordered U.S. 
forces to begin attacking Iraqi installations. There are currently 
225,000 American service men and women in the Persian Gulf region. Two 
hundred thousand members of the Reserves and National Guard have been 
called to active duty. Several thousand Connecticut residents are doing 
their part--1,500 members of Connecticut's National Guard; 750 deployed 
to the Middle East and another 750 activated to participate in homeland 
security related responsibilities. There are also 2,778 of 
Connecticut's sons and daughters serving in the Navy--active members 
and reservists, 532 in the Army, and 310 in the Air Force. Dozens of 
Connecticut's police officers and firefighters have been called up for 
active duty. I thank each and every one of them. And say to them that I 
am proud and honored to represent them in the United States Senate.
  As is always the case, these young men and women stand ready to obey 
the orders of the Commander in Chief--the President of the United 
States--to take up arms and risk their lives in defense of all 
Americans and the values of freedom, liberty, and democracy. I greatly 
admire the courage and professionalism of our service men and women who 
are now engaged in this dangerous conflict far away from home and loved 
ones. Americans stand as one in support of these brave individuals. I 
also want to express my gratitude to the family members of our 
soldiers. They more than anyone understand the sacrifices involved in 
the service of our country. War is a treacherous endeavor, and we will 
all pray for their safe return. I am confident that in the days and 
weeks to come, America and the U.S. Congress will continue to provide 
our service men and women with all the support they need and deserve.
  Over the last several months, my colleagues and I have engaged in an 
ongoing dialog about when and under what circumstances the U.S. should 
commence military action in Iraq. I have been a participant in these 
important debates, as have many others in this Chamber. And across the 
country, in cities and towns, Americans have also been discussing these 
issues with their families and neighbors. Many have voiced strong 
opinions. It is right and appropriate that this has occurred--that is 
what living in a free country is all about.
  Last fall, I supported President Bush's decision to go the United 
Nations and seek the support of U.N. members to resolve the threat 
posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. I supported the deployment 
of U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq to verify its peaceful disarmament. 
As much as anyone, I wanted those diplomatic efforts to succeed. I 
believe that President Bush did as well. Unfortunately, Saddam Hussein 
obviously did not.
  While there may have been differing opinions on some aspects of our 
policy toward Iraq, there has been no disagreement that Saddam Hussein 
is anything but a cruel and murderous tyrant. At every critical 
juncture, Saddam Hussein chose to impede the work of the inspectors. At 
every fork in the road, he chose to squander opportunities for peaceful 
disarmament presented to him by the international community. Finally 
time has run out.
  And now, Saddam Hussein must bear full responsibility for what is 
about to befall him. He brought it upon himself. I have no sympathy for 
his plight. The real tragedy is that others may have to suffer for his 
sins--although I am confident that American soldiers will make every 
effort, use every means of intelligence, and employ all available 
technology to minimize civilian casualties.
  Would that Saddam Hussein had shown the same regard for his people 
that our forces will. His record has been the opposite. This murderous 
tyrant has routinely had his own people tortured, raped, beaten, and 
executed. In 1988, he ordered the use of chemical weapons against the 
Iraqi people, killing 5,000 men, women, and children in a single day. 
Now, he may be ordering his elite troops to use the city of Baghdad as 
a fortress--a human fortress--endangering the lives of countless Iraqi 
civilians.
  It is my hope that United States military action will not only free 
the world of the dangers posed by Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass 
destruction, but provide an opportunity for the

[[Page 7489]]

Iraqi people to free themselves from 30 years of tyranny and 
oppression, to begin a new chapter in the history of their country.
  The current military action may only last a few days or a few weeks. 
But in the end, I have not doubt that our American service men and 
women will prevail in this conflict. However, after we emerge 
successfully from our military conflict with Saddam Hussein, another 
challenge will face us--the task of establishing a free and stable 
Iraq. In many ways this is an even more important battle then the one 
currently ongoing in the deserts of Iraq. And it is a battle that we 
should not ``wage'' alone. An international coalition of friends, 
allies, and U.N. humanitarian organizations must be mobilized to share 
the costs and responsibility for providing humanitarian relief to the 
Iraqi people, and the larger and more complex reconstruction of Iraqi 
society.
  The United States is not the only nation that has a stake in 
rebuilding Iraq. The entire world has a huge stake in getting this 
right. For only an Iraq that is strong, free, and democratic--only an 
Iraq that respects the rights of all its citizens--only an Iraq that 
respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors--can be counted on 
to contribute to building a Middle East that is stable and prosperous. 
That is why I am confident that whatever our past differences may have 
been, our friends and allies at the United Nations will join with us in 
this effort.
  Once again let me express my thanks to the American men and women who 
have put themselves at risk for each one of us. Let me also thank the 
service members from other nations who have joined with our forces in 
this endeavor. And let me offer one more prayer for their swift and 
safe return home once their mission is complete.

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