February 5, 2003

Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation before the UN Security Council shed additional public light on Iraq's WMD programs. Much of this had already been presented in closed Senate briefings by Bush Administration officials over the last several months.

I have never doubted for one moment that Saddam Hussein has chemical and biological weapons and has sought to acquire nuclear weapons. For me the issue has always been how best to address that threat. I don't really believe that the Secretary addressed that question during his remarks. Seemingly, the Bush Administration has decided that the only way to do so is to invade Iraq, regardless of the potential consequences of such a decision. Most of the international community has, to date, preferred addressing that threat with weapons inspections established pursuant to UN Security Council 1441.

We will have to see whether other members of the UN Security Council find the evidence as convincing as Secretary Powell believes it to be. If they do not, then the United States will be left with the sole responsibility of carrying out not only military operations against Iraq but with restoring and maintaining stability in a post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. This could prove to be both costly and dangerous. While a second UN resolution is technically not mandated pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1441 before the United States acts, it would be extremely prudent for us to seek such a resolution as it would enhance prospects for cooperation from other governments in rebuilding Iraq.