3.8 |
Development of UK strategy and options, 8 to 20 March
2003
872.
President Bush
acknowledged that military action could expose the US and
its
allies to
an increased possibility of attack and that additional security
measures had
been put in
place. He concluded:
“We are now
acting because the risk of inaction would be greater …
Saddam
Hussein and
his terrorist allies could choose the moment of deadly conflict
when
they are
strongest. We choose to meet that threat now …
“… a policy
of appeasement could bring destruction of a kind never before
seen
on this earth.
“…
responding to such enemies only after they have struck first is not
self-defense,
it is
suicide. The security of the world requires disarming Saddam
Hussein now.
“As we
enforce the just demands of the world, we will also honor the
deepest
commitments
of our country. Unlike Saddam Hussein, we believe the Iraqi
people
are
deserving and capable of human liberty. And when the dictator has
departed,
they can
set an example to all the Middle East of a vital and peaceful
and
self‑governing
nation.
“The United
States, with other countries, will work to advance liberty and
peace
in that
region. Our goal will not be achieved overnight, but it can come
over time.
The power
and appeal of human liberty is felt in every life and every land.
And the
greatest
power of freedom is to overcome hatred and violence and turn … to
the
pursuits of
peace.
“That is
the future we choose. Free nations have a duty to defend our people
by
uniting
against the violent. And tonight, as we have done before, America
and our
allies
accept that responsibility.”
873.
The British
Embassy Washington reported that President Bush “looked nervous
but
the message
was uncompromising. Only a complete climb down by Saddam can
now
874.
A later
telegram reported that a White House spokesman had “amplified”
the
President’s
statement and said that, if Saddam Hussein were to comply with
the
deadline
and go into exile, US troops would still enter Iraq in order to
pursue and disarm
WMD; and
that he hoped the international community would consider
prosecuting
Saddam
Hussein for war crimes even in the case of exile.312
875.
The Embassy
also reported that “some 66 percent of Americans told Gallup
that
they
supported Bush’s intention to attack if Saddam did not leave within
48 hours”; and
that
“around 68 percent … agreed that the US had done everything
possible to solve the
311
Telegram
355 Washington to FCO London, 18 March 2003, ‘Iraq: US
Ultimatum’.
312
Telegram
359 Washington to FCO London, 19 March 2003, ‘US/Iraq: Update, 18
March’.
555