Nick Smith, February 9, 2003

The first five days of February were dramatic. On February 1, the space shuttle Columbia went down. On the third, the President presented a budget that holds the line on discretionary spending but still results in the largest deficit in history. On the fifth, Secretary of State Colin Powell presented our case on Iraq to the U.N. Security Council.

Our sympathy and prayers go out to the Columbia’s astronauts and their families. As a subcommittee Chairman on the Science Committee, I will help conduct hearings into the causes of this accident and how we proceed. We must guard against a rush to conclusions that may be unreliable. The debate will also be renewed on the balance between manned and unmanned space flight. The next space shuttle mission, which was scheduled for March, will be delayed until we carefully investigate the accident.

Secretary Powell proved Iraq’s continuing violation of various U.N. resolutions using disclosures from American intelligence to show that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction, has lied about those weapons, conspires to thwart U.N. inspections, and aids terrorists. A lot of the evidence was heretofore classified. However, there is still significant classified evidence that has not been revealed because it would compromise our sources. This compelling case against Iraq means that the U.N. must make some decisions. As President Bush said to the U.N. last year, and Secretary Powell reiterated, the U.N. must now move to enforce its resolutions or forfeit its credibility as a body.

Last October, Congress authorized the President to use force, if necessary, to protect American security and disarm Iraq. It also called on the President to work with the U.N. which subsequently passed a unanimous resolution calling on Iraq to "actively" cooperate to disarm of all weapons of mass destruction. Responding to that resolution, Iraq submitted 12,000 pages of documents on December 7 that the U.N.’s chief weapons inspector Hans Blix said was "not helpful." Blix also said that Saddam Hussein has offered no proof that he has rid himself of chemical or biological weapons and has shown little willingness to get serious about disarming.

Iraq’s many denials are not credible. During the prior inspections which ended in 1998, Iraq already admitted possession of large quantities of chemical and biological weapons, including 3.9 tons of VX gas, 2,850 tons of mustard gas, 1,800 tons of nerve agents, 8,500 liters of anthrax, 19,180 liters of botulinum toxin, and 10 liters of ricin. Aerial photography and intelligence agents indicate that Iraq’s stock of poisons has only grown since 1998.

We all hope that we can achieve Iraqi disarmament without war. But given the blatant Iraqi defiance of the U.N. Security Council along with the threat to our security and that of our allies, we must be willing to act militarily. I agree with analysts who believe that if Saddam Hussein is convinced we will go to war, he is likely to give up the weapons or accept exile and take his multibillion dollar fortune with him. Being prepared and willing to enforce compliance with U.N. resolutions actually reduces the chances of war. If Saddam Hussein does change course and accept exile or disarmament, it will be only because he fears gathering allied forces that are ready and willing to act.

Congressman Nick Smith represents the 7th District Congressional of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives.