Watson Statement on Secretary Powell's Speech at the United Nations
February 6, 2003
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (CA-33rd) made the following remarks in response to Secretary of State Powell’s speech before the United Nations Security Council on the U.N. weapons inspection program in Iraq:
“There is no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein is an evil man and that he and his regime of thugs must be contained. This Administration, the previous Administration, and Secretary Powell today in his speech at the United Nations have all clearly and convincingly made this point.
“The issue at hand is whether a U.S. led invasion at this time is the only way rid Saddam’s regime of chemical and biological weapons. I am still not convinced that invasion is a reasonable or viable option. At this time, I believe the United Nations weapons inspectors must be allowed to continue their inspections and come to a final determination as to whether Iraq will comply or continue to dissemble. We cannot determine the effectiveness or impact of the U.N. weapons inspection effort in such a short period of time.
“Any decision to invade Iraq must be measured against the terrorist threat, and I am not convinced that either the Administration or Secretary Powell in his speech today have made a credible argument that war in Iraq will lessen that threat to our homeland security. Nor do I believe that Mr. Powell’s speech has won over the support of many of our coalition forces. Moreover, I remain very concerned that U.S. troops could become bogged down in a country fractured by war, poverty, and incredible distrust among powerful competing interests. The clear and present danger to our nation is terrorism, and Secretary Powell still has not made a convincing case that a war in Iraq will lessen that threat.”