3.4 |
Development of UK strategy and options, late July to 14 September
2002
276.
Asked whether
the time had come to issue an ultimatum “similar to that you
issued
to the
Taliban [in October 2001 – see Section 3.1]”, President Bush
replied:
“I am going
to state clearly to the United Nations what I think … he [Saddam]
has not
fulfilled
any of the obligations that he made to the world. And I believe it
is important
for the
world to deal with this man. And I believe it is really important
for the world to
have an
open dialogue about how to deal with this threat.
“We are in
a new era; the first battle of the first war of the 21st century
took place
in
Afghanistan. The United States is under threat … this is a debate
the American
people must
hear, must understand. And the world must understand … that
its
credibility
is at stake.”
277.
CNN
published a
letter that President Bush had given to Mr Dennis
Hastert,
the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, during the meeting on 4
September.92
The letter
stated:
“America
and the civilised world face a critical decision in the months
ahead. The
decision is
how to disarm an outlaw regime that continues to possess and
develop
weapons of
mass destruction … Since September 11, we have been reminded
that
we are
vulnerable to evil people. And this vulnerability increases
dramatically when
evil people
have access to weapons of mass destruction.
“I know
Members of Congress agree that Saddam Hussein’s regime is still a
threat
to peace …
America intends to lead the way to make certain that Saddam
Hussein’s
regime is
not able to threaten anyone in the world with the world’s most
devastating
weapons.
“I am in
the process of deciding how to proceed. This is an important
decision that
must be
made with great thought and care. Therefore I welcome and
encourage
discussion
and debate. Congress will hold hearings on Iraq this month, and I
have
asked
members of my Administration to participate fully.
“Doing
nothing in the face of a grave threat to the world is not an
option. At an
appropriate
time and after consultation with the leadership, I will seek
Congressional
support for
US action to do whatever is necessary to deal with the threat
posed
by Saddam
Hussein’s regime. Congress can play an important role in building
a
national
consensus for action.”
278.
After a
reference to meeting Mr Blair and consulting other world
leaders, the letter
continued:
“My
Administration remains committed to the regime change policy
enshrined in the
Iraq
Liberation Act. The world must address how the Iraqi people can be
liberated …
92
CNN, 4
September 2002, Bush
letter: ‘America intends to lead’.
143