[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              U.N. SHOULD NOT BE CENTRAL TO PEACE IN IRAQ

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, just three weeks from the launch of Operation 
Iraqi Freedom, the battle for Baghdad is drawing to a close. Less than 
2 hours ago, amidst the cheers and grateful smiles of the newly freed 
people of Iraq, the 3rd Army met the 1st Marine expeditionary force at 
the Tigris River.
  Thanks to U.S. and coalition courage and leadership, liberty has 
reached the center of Baghdad, darkened by tyranny for more than a 
quarter of a century.
  Soon we will turn this body's attention to reconstruction, to interim 
governments, to the creation of a free and democratic Iraq, and as the 
President said in Belfast yesterday, the United Nations will play a 
vital role in helping to stand up our humanitarian efforts.
  Despite the fondest wishes of the President of France, I would offer, 
Mr. Speaker, since the U.N. chose against being central to the war, the 
U.N. should not and will not be central to the peace.

                          ____________________