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3.5  |  Development of UK strategy and options, September to November 2002 –
the negotiation of resolution 1441
US Congressional authorisation for the use of force
On 10 and 11 October, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed a joint
resolution authorising the use of military force against Iraq.160
The resolution expressed support for President Bush’s efforts:
“to –
(1) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant …
resolutions regarding Iraq and encourages him in those efforts; and
(2) obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq
abandons its strategy of delay, evasion and non‑compliance and promptly and strictly
complies with all relevant … resolutions …”
It also authorised President Bush to:
“use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and
appropriate to –
(1) defend the national security of the United States against he continuing threat
posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations … resolutions …”
Signing the joint resolution on 16 October, President Bush stated that it symbolised the
united purpose of the nation and expressed the considered judgement of Congress.161
Congress had authorised the use of force but he had not ordered that use, and he hoped
that would not become necessary.
President Bush added that confronting the threat from Iraq was:
“… necessary, by whatever means that requires. Either the Iraqi regime will give
up its weapons of mass destruction, or, for the sake of peace, the United States will
lead a global coalition to disarm that regime …
“The Iraqi regime is a serious and growing threat to peace … [T]he regime is armed
with biological and chemical weapons, possesses ballistic missiles, promotes
international terror and seeks nuclear weapons …
“If Iraq gains even greater destructive power, nations in the Middle East would face
blackmail, intimidation or attack. Chaos in that region would be felt in Europe and
beyond. And Iraq’s combination of weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorist
groups and ballistic missiles would threaten the peace and security of many nations.
Those who choose to live in denial may eventually be forced to live in fear.”
President Bush also called on the members of UN to meet the challenge:
“Every nation that shares in the benefits of peace also shares in the duty of defending
the peace. The time has arrived once again for the United Nations to live up to the
purposes of its founding to protect our common security …”
160 Almanac of Policy Issues, 15 October 2002, Congressional Resolution Authorizing Force Against Iraq.
161 The White House, 16 October 2002, President Signs Iraq Resolution.
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