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Rumsfeld Warns Iraq Not to Threaten U.N. Inspectors
Friday, November 8, 2002
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

"Saddam Hussein needs to understand that this is his regime's chance to come into compliance with all U.N. Security Council resolutions. The choice does not rest in Washington. It does not rest in New York. It rests in Baghdad. For the sake of peace, let's hope that the Iraqi regime chooses wisely."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned Iraq not "to take or threaten hostile action against inspectors or coalition aircraft upholding U.N. inspections" under the U.N. Security Council resolution signed today.

"The Iraqi regime has a choice to make. (Saddam Hussein) can give up his weapons of mass destruction or, as (President Bush) has said, he will lose power," Rumsfeld said.

The secretary was speaking to American and German media during a Pentagon press conference with German Defense Minister Peter Struck. The two met this evening to discuss the upcoming NATO summit in Prague, Czech Republic; NATO modernization; the war on terrorism; and the new resolution on Iraq.

Rumsfeld spoke at length about the new U.N resolution. He explained that Iraq now has seven days to confirm its intent to cooperate with the tenets of the resolution. Then, within 30 days, "Iraq must fully and truthfully declare all of its weapons of mass destruction capabilities, its programs and stockpiles," he said.

The secretary also described what actions the United States would take during this period. He said Americans would still patrol the skies over Iraq and continue working with friends and allies to keep pressure on Iraq to comply.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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