Them WMDs in Iraq.
First let’s remind ourselves what other political leaders in the US have been saying about Saddam and them WMDs:
- “We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.” – President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
- “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” – Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998
- “Hussein has … chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.” – Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999
- “We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them.” – Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002
- “We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country. Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” – Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
- “We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” – Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002
- “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members … It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.” – Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
- “The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons…” – Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002
- “And now he [Saddam] is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction … So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real…” – Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003
Note that not one of the Moonbat Left has ever mentioned, or complained against, any of those listed above. When it comes to saying that there were WMDs in Iraq only President Bush is considered to be a liar.
Then came UN Resolution 1441, on November 8, 2002, approved unanimously by the 15-member security council, which, in part, says:
…in order to begin to comply with its disarmament obligations, in addition to submitting the required biannual declarations, the government of Iraq shall provide to UNMOVIC, the IAEA, and the council, not later than 30 days from the date of this resolution, a currently accurate, full, and complete declaration of all aspects of its programs to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and other delivery systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and dispersal systems designed for use on aircraft, including any holdings and precise locations of such weapons, components, sub-components, stocks of agents, and related material and equipment, the locations and work of its research, development and production facilities, as well as all other chemical, biological, and nuclear programs, including any which it claims are for purposes not related to weapon production or material…
If Iraq failed to meet any demand, President Bush affirmed that he intended to order force against Saddam Hussein’s regime, which he did.
And now, after all this time, we learn from a declassified portion of a report by the National Ground Intelligence Center (a Defense Department intelligence unit) that no less than 500 chemical weapons have been found since 2003. The weapons are of the mustard gas and Sarin nerve gas variety.
Remember that 15 shells could have killed 5,000 people like the attacks of 1988 in Kurdistan. So saying “it’s only 500 shells” is a worthless argument.
But since these munitions are said to be manufactured before 1991, and not in recent years, the Left is saying that their discovery “doesn’t count”. To the Left it’s OK if Saddam had 14 zillion liters of weapons grade Sarin gas already loaded into weapon systems – as long as he didn’t manufacture them after 1991.
Does it really make that much different to the victim, or to UN Resolution 1441, whether a genuine WMD was manufactured in 1985 or 1995?
No. All that matters is Saddam Hussein was lying when he said he got rid of all his WMDs. They show that Saddam Hussein was lying when he said all weapons had been destroyed, and it shows that years of on-again, off-again weapons inspections did not uncover these munitions. They say something about Hussein’s intent and desire. I’m not sure that means Saddam had an active chemical weapons program but if this report proves to be true chemical weapons stock would be a violation of UNSCR 687.
When it comes to WMDs intent to acquire and use matters. UNSCR 687 and subsequent resolutions gave Saddam very specific guidance and requirements. He violated them in spirit and in fact. Ted Kennedy was wrong, Cindy Sheehan was wrong, France was wrong.
Conventional weapons sites have been uncovered and chemical weapons have been discovered mixed within them. Much of Iraq was an ammo dump. Combine that with the fact that Iraq was a training camp to various terrorist organizations, including al Qaeda, and I think you can paint a bleak picture. At least most sane and rational people can.
They show that Saddam Hussein was lying when he said all weapons had been destroyed.
They show that Bush didn’t lie.
WMD, Iraq, Resolution 1441, National Ground Intelligence Center, mustard gas, Sarin, nerve gas
