1997: Kerry on Senate Floor "We Must Be Firm with Saddam Hussein": TRANSCRIPT

thomas.loc.gov records ^ | Nov 9, 1997 | John F Kerry

[cgk]

Here you go, FReepers. As mentioned on the Sunday Talk shows.

[cgk]

ping.

[MotleyGirl70]

Bump for later reading.

[cgk]

We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligation to guarantee that Saddam Hussein cannot ignore the United Nations. He cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. This is not a matter about which there should be any debate whatsoever in the Security Council, or, certainly, in this Nation. If he remains obdurate, I believe that the United Nations must take, and should authorize immediately, whatever steps are necessary to force him to relent--and that the United States should support and participate in those steps

---

Finally, we must consider the ultimate nightmare. Surely, if Saddam's efforts are permitted to continue unabated, we will eventually face more aggression by Saddam, quite conceivably including an attack on Israel, or on other nations in the region as he seeks predominance within the Arab community. If he has such weapons, his attack is likely to employ weapons of unspeakable and indiscriminate destructiveness and torturous effects on civilians and military alike. What that would unleash is simply too horrendous to contemplate, but the United States inevitably would be drawn into that conflict. Mr. President, I could explore other possible ominous consequences of letting Saddam Hussein proceed unchecked. The possible scenarios I have referenced really are only the most obvious possibilities. What is vital is that Americans understand, and that the Security Council understand, that there is no good outcome possible if he is permitted to do anything other than acquiesce to continuation of U.N. inspections. As the world's only current superpower, we have the enormous responsibility not to exhibit arrogance, not to take any unwitting or unnecessary risks, and not to employ armed force casually. But at the same time it is our responsibility not to shy away from those confrontations that really matter in the long run. And this matters in the long run.

[FourtySeven]

I love FR. Excellent work.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[libbiehater]

Same thing that moron boy Bush said.


evilliberal@gmail.com

[cgk]

I found reference to it on Renew America's website:

---

On November 9, 1997, John Kerry had told America, from the floor of the Senate in a speech entitled, "We Must be Firm with Saddam Hussein":

In my judgment, the Security Council should authorize a strong U.N. military response that will materially damage, if not totally destroy, as much as possible of the suspected infrastructure for developing and manufacturing weapons of mass destruction, as well as key military command and control nodes. Saddam Hussein should pay a grave price, in a currency that he understands and values, for his unacceptable behavior.

This should not be a strike consisting only of a handful of cruise missiles hitting isolated targets primarily of presumed symbolic value. But how long this military action might continue and how it may escalate should Saddam remain intransigent and how extensive would be its reach are for the Security Council and our allies to know and for Saddam Hussein ultimately to find out. ...

---

Kerry is calling for military action other than cruise missiles!

[cgk]

Whoops - forgot the link to Renew America article, sorry: Here 'tis: Sen. John Kerry 1997 vs Sen. John Kerry 2004 on Iraq's WMD

[Mister Baredog]

an obligation to guarantee that Saddam Hussein cannot ignore the United Nations.

That's a good one.

He said a lot of this up to 2003.

What is required is for the "media" to confront him on it.

After all, he's a demoncrat, for him history starts today.

[Mo1]

Hmmm .. I wonder how he'll spin this one?

[Mo1]

PING

[cgk]

Whoever (whomever) added keywords, thank you. I never know which ones are actively working, and which are just fodder. ;)

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The American Left, like their comerades in the UN, were perfectly happy to TALK about how bad Saddam was, what a threat he was, etc., ad nauseum. They even made speeches and took votes, like Kerry and his kin in France did.

But never in their wildest dreams did they expect anyone to come along and TAKE ACTION, like President Bush did. This is the cause of their horror. The game was supposed to be all about talk, not action. Even Saddam himself believed this, as it has been reported that merely weeks before the invasion, the French Government had been telling him that tyhe US would not invade.

Once one understands this aspect of their character, one understands them well enough. They are all about subtleties and behind-the-scenes dealmaking, never overt action. This is why they are so horrified that GW is in charge, and why Soros and the entire international Left will do whatever they can to see him gone from power.

[joesnuffy]

John Kerry on US sovereignty...

In a series of recent statements on America's frosty relationship with the UN, Sen John Kerry has promised he will approach the U.N. as president with what he calls "appropriate humility and appropriate sensitivity" and will lay out "America's agenda on a global basis."

"I think you have to turn over to the U.N. genuine authority, ask them with a little humility to be involved..." Kerry said

Although he is talking about US presence in Iraq, the notion of a humbled America bowing with "humility" to U.N. authority is the key to understanding what a John Kerry presidency will bring.

Kerry's rule will include appropriate "humility" with respect to U.N. efforts to impose global gun control schemes on individual Americans....schemes that were most forcefully rejected by President George W. Bush during the opening weeks of his new presidency. Of all the efforts by the Bush Administration to support the Second Amendment, none has been ore important than slamming the door on U.N. plans to impose international gun controls on American soil.

Wayne LaPierre
NRA Executive Vice Pres
American Rifleman magazine July '04

[Defender2]

kerry = flipper.

[MEG33]

Great find!..Ask on FR and it is received.

[joesnuffy]

From a liberal perspective the only sin is 'Not Getting What You Want'
Obtaining Power and keeping it...their main goal....
Lying is simply another tool to accomplish that goal....
The only reason not to lie...is if it gets you more....of what you want..

[Eva]

Good job finding this. What was said about this on the talk shows?

[Rebelbase]

Beautiful. Bump for later posting to libs.