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Force Necessary Adjunct to Diplomacy, Deputy Says
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

"Some countries have indicated that they will be with us with or without a U.N. resolution," Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said. "Many other nations will join us once there is one." Other countries, especially those in the area directly threatened by Iraq, would join once they see the world will act against Saddam Hussein. "That is why American resolve and determination to act -- not to be hamstrung by the waverings of the weak or those who still hope to seek favors from the Baghdad regime -- is important to embolden others to join us."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
No one should believe Saddam Hussein will give up his weapons of mass destruction without the threat of force, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said today.

Wolfowitz told the Fletcher Conference here that Hussein will only give up the weapons "if he believes that it is the necessary price for his survival and the survival of his regime."

The deputy said Americans agree that a world without a Saddam Hussein-ruled Iraq would be safer, and the Iraqi people would be far better off free of his Ba'athist regime.

"Where we differ is over the issue of what means are necessary and appropriate to effect that kind of change," he said. "The central issue comes down to how we weigh the risks and costs of using force should we have to."

The deputy secretary stressed that President Bush has made no decision on using force against Iraq. He said the president would like to resolve the situation with Iraq peacefully.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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