Letter to Babs (Streisand; good read!)

Barbra Streisand
c/o Martin Erlichman Associates, Inc.
5670 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Please find enclosed two statements made by former President Bill Clinton, on the occasion of his ordering bombing and missile raids on Iraq, in December of 1998. In fairness to Mr. Clinton, and in the interest of preserving context, I have enclosed these statements in their entirety, but I have highlighted some statements for your special attention.

As you may recall, in December, 1998, President Clinton unleashed a four-day military strike on Iraq. As he says in the supporting statements I have enclosed, these were his reasons:

1. Saddam Hussein is seeking to develop and improve weapons of mass destruction, in defiance of the United Nations.

2. Saddam Hussein has repeatedly blocked the efforts of U.N. inspectors to monitor his promise not to develop and improve these weapons.

3. Saddam Hussein, alone among the world’s villains, represents a “big difference”: he’s used these horrible weapons against both his enemies, and his own people.

5. Saddam Hussein “presents a clear and present danger to the stability of the Persian Gulf and the safety of people everywhere” (Clinton’s own words).

6. Saddam Hussein “threatens the well-being of his people” and “the security of the world,” and the best solution is a “new Iraqi government” (Clinton’s own words).

Clearly, the President was very, very concerned about Saddam Hussein, and, in response, he ordered a massive four-day bombing and missile attack, which, he acknowledged, would entail “some unintended civilian casualties.” (see his remarks of Dec. 17, 1998, “in photo opportunity with foreign policy team,” enclosed for your review).

You were a very visible and vocal supporter of former President Clinton. You have, of late, been a very visible and vocal critic of President Bush, with regard to his policy on Iraq. I do not recall hearing your voice raised in criticism of Mr. Clinton, when he carried out his strikes on Iraq four years ago. Nor do I recall hearing protests, back then, from anyone else in the entertainment community, who are all so eager now, sheep-like, to join the choir and denounce “the war.”

I direct your attention above, to the six points Mr. Clinton made, as justification for military action against Iraq. The Bush administration has repeatedly emphasized all of these same points, yet you now find them uncompelling, and worthy of protest. Yet, when Mr. Clinton proffered them to our nation, and acted on them with military force, you were silent.

Please understand, I am not criticizing your questioning the need for military action against Iraq. That is your right, and the right of all Americans. I would just like to know why you are so exercised about opposing such proposed action now, when you remained mute four years ago, when it was actually taken by then-President Clinton.

I honestly would appreciate a response. You may reply to me at the above address, or e-mail me at [his email address].

This is by a longtime friend of mine, a man whose intellectual sandals I'm scarce fit to lace (or unlace). I thought it bundled together a number of facts particularly well, thought y'all'd enjoy it, and got the good doctor's permission to share it with you.

Glenn asked that I pass along this source:

http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/html/decnew98.html

He says to scroll down to find Clinton in December, 1998.

I always say: if you can't be smart, then at least have smart friends (same philosophy in re. my wife!).

Dan

Excerpts:

http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/html/19981216-3611.html
Dec. 16, 1998 President Clinton's Statement on Air Strike Against Iraq

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Earlier today, I ordered America's Armed Forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical, and biological programs, and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors. Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States and, indeed, the interest of people throughout the Middle East and around the world. Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas, or biological weapons. I want to explain why I have decided, with the unanimous recommendation of my national security team, to use force in Iraq, why we have acted now and what we aim to accomplish.

http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/html/19981217-6938.html
December 17, 1998 President Clinton Discusses The Air Strikes Against Iraq

I am convinced the decision I made to order this military action, though difficult, was absolutely the right thing to do. It is in our interest and in the interest of people all around the world. Saddam Hussein has used weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles before; I have no doubt he would use them again if permitted to develop them.

When I halted military action against Saddam last November, after he had terminated the UNSCOM operations, I made it very clear that we were giving him a last chance to cooperate. Once again he promised in very explicit terms that he would fully cooperate. On Tuesday, the inspectors concluded that they were no longer able to do their jobs and that, in fact, he had raised even new barriers to their doing their jobs

http://clinton3.nara.gov/WH/New/html/19981219-2655.html
Dec. 19, 1998 President Clinton Announces End of Operation Desert Fox

THE PRESIDENT: On Wednesday, I ordered our Armed Forces to strike military and strategic targets in Iraq. They were joined by British forces. That operation is now complete, in accordance with our 70-hour plan.

My national security team has just briefed me on the results. They are preliminary, but let me say just a few words about why we acted, what we have achieved, and where we want to go.

We began with this basic proposition: Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to develop nuclear arms, poison gas, biological weapons, or the means to deliver them. He has used such weapons before against soldiers and civilians, including his own people. We have no doubt that if left unchecked he would do so again.

Saddam must not be prepared to defy the will -- be permitted -- excuse me -- to defy the will of the international community. Without a firm response he would have been emboldened to do that again and again.

For seven and a half years now, the United Nations weapons inspectors have done a truly remarkable job, in forcing Saddam to disclose and destroy weapons and missiles he insisted he did not have.

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