[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[December 19, 1998]
[Pages 2197-2198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's Radio Address
December 19, 1998

    Good morning. As I speak to you, America's men and women in uniform 
and our British allies are fighting for security, peace, and freedom in 
the Persian Gulf. They're doing an outstanding job, showing bravery and 
skill, making our country proud. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
    Putting our troops in harm's way is the hardest decision any 
President faces. I believe our action in Iraq clearly is in America's 
interest. Never again can we allow Saddam Hussein to develop nuclear 
weapons, poison gas, biological weapons, or missiles to deliver them. He 
has used such terrible weapons before against soldiers, against his 
neighbors, against civilians. And if left unchecked, he'll use them 
again.
    For 7\1/2\ years, United Nations weapons inspectors did a truly 
remarkable job in forcing Saddam to disclose and destroy weapons he 
insisted he did not have. But over the past year, Saddam repeatedly has 
blocked their efforts. Each time, with intensive diplomacy backed by the 
threat of force, we compelled him to back down.
    Last month, when he agreed to fully cooperate, I canceled an 
American military action. But I, along with Prime Minister Tony Blair of 
Great Britain, made it absolutely clear that if he did not fully 
cooperate, we would have no choice but to act without further 
negotiation or warning.
    For 3 weeks, the U.N. inspectors tested Saddam's commitment. He 
failed the test, hindering and preventing inspections, withholding and 
destroying documents. As their chairman concluded, the inspectors can no 
longer do their vital job. Under these circumstances, had we failed to 
respond, it would have given Saddam

[[Page 2198]]

a green light to rebuild his arsenal and threaten his neighbors.
    I acted quickly because, as my military advisors stressed, the 
longer we waited, the more time Saddam would have to disperse his forces 
and protect his arsenal. Our mission is clear: to degrade Saddam's 
capacity to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction and threaten 
the region. Based on reports from the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman 
of the Joint Chiefs, and the CIA Director, I believe the mission is 
going well.
    Now, where do we go from here? Our long-term strategy is clear: 
First, we stand ready to use force again if Saddam takes threatening 
action such as seeking to reconstitute his weapons of mass destruction, 
menacing his neighbors or his own Kurdish citizens, or challenging 
allied aircraft.
    Second, so long as Iraq fails to live up to its obligations, we'll 
work with the international community to keep the sanctions in place. 
They have cost Saddam more than $120 billion, resources he would have 
devoted to rebuilding his weaponry. At the same time, we will continue 
to support the ongoing program to provide humanitarian supplies to the 
people of Iraq, so that Saddam uses his oil to buy food and medicine, 
not tanks and missiles.
    Finally, we'll strengthen our engagement with Iraqis who want a new 
government, one that will respect its citizens and live in peace with 
its neighbors. We must not harbor illusions, however, that change will 
come easily or quickly. But we should go forward, and we will, with 
determination, working with opposition groups, strengthening the global 
consensus for bringing Iraq a government worthy of its people.
    As our forces carry out their missions, I want to express my 
heartfelt thanks to all our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in 
the Gulf and all around the world, who work every day to defend our 
freedom, promote stability and democracy, and bring hope. To those 
forces now engaged in the battle against Saddam Hussein, you have our 
appreciation for your courage, and our Nation's hopes for your safe and 
successful return.
    To all those in our Armed Forces who will spend this holiday season 
away from home, away from your loved ones, we thank you for your 
service. You are helping to ensure a just and peaceful world.
    As we enter the season of peace, we remain ever hopeful that one day 
all nations and all communities will actually live in peace, with 
tolerance, respect, and civility. There can be no greater gift for our 
children.
    Thanks for listening.

Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to President Saddam Hussein of 
Iraq and Richard Butler, executive chairman, United Nations Special 
Commission.