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RUMSFELD: Measure Iraq by Its Actions, Not Its Words
Monday, September 30, 2002
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

"Over the years, the Iraqi regime has shown a great deal of cleverness in playing the international community and the world's media."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has proven time and again he can't be trusted. And Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took to the podium today to point that out.

In the most recent flouting of United Nations' intentions, Iraq sent a letter to that body Sept. 16 claiming it was ready to allow weapons inspectors to Iraq "without conditions." Iraq cited a desire to complete implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and "remove any doubts that Iraq still possesses weapons of mass destruction," according to Rumsfeld.

"Hopeful people around the world found solace in those words," Rumsfeld said during a Pentagon press briefing. "Unfortunately Iraq's behavior over the past decade requires that thoughtful people measure Iraq by its actions as opposed to its words."

Within hours of the arrival of that letter, Iraq was again firing at U.S. and coalition aircraft in the northern and southern no-fly zones, Rumsfeld said.

Since that letter, Iraq has fired upon coalition aircraft 67 times, including 14 times over the past weekend. "That ought to tell reasonable people something," Rumsfeld said.

Three days after the letter, Iraq's foreign minister spoke to the United Nations to place conditions on any future inspections, saying Iraq's security and sovereignty were at risk.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan